Studying to become a gynecologist

The path to gynecology is a long and rigorous one, requiring in-depth medical training and intensive specialization. This fact sheet details the various stages of training required to practise this crucial women's health profession.

Stages of gynecology training

Becoming a gynecologist begins with a bachelor's degree, preferably with a major in science. This scientific foundation will be essential for success in medical studies.

After high school

Graduates of the baccalaureate can go on to study :

• Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)
  • Introduced in 2020 to replace the former Première Années Commune aux Études de Santé (PACES), the PASS is a year of study combining a health major with a minor in another discipline. This structure makes it possible to diversify skills and offer avenues for reorientation.
  • Students are assessed on the basis of continuous assessment and final exams
    • Those who pass can go on to study in the health sector.
    • Those who fail can reorient themselves towards their minor before, if they wish, trying their luck again.
  • The PASS approach reduces the pressure of the single PACES exam, while diversifying students' skills.

• The Health Access Licence (L.AS)
  • Introduced in 2020 to diversify the range of training courses available in health studies, the L.AS is a course combining any major (law, literature, economics, etc.) with a specific health minor (biology, physiology, etc.).
  • At the end of the first, second or third year, and if they have passed the minimum requirements, students can apply for health studies. They then sit specific exams. Depending on their performance, they may be rejected or admitted to the second year of medical school.
  • The L.AS allows students to follow a diversified pathway, favoring skills and reorientation.

General medical studies

After the PASS or L.AS (see above), general medical studies are divided into two parts:

• The Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM) : a three-year course (the PASS and L.AS count as the first) comprising theoretical courses in medical sciences and clinical placements in hospitals.
• Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM): a direct continuation of the DFGSM, this is a three-year course of study incorporating specialist courses and advanced internships in various hospital departments.

End-of-clerkship examinations

During the final year of the second cycle, students must pass a series of exams which, depending on their results and rankings, will enable them to make their choice of specialty, as well as city. Here's the list:

• Épreuves dématérialisées nationales (EDN): these take place in October and account for 60% of the final grade. To pass, students must obtain a mark of at least 14/20 in theoretical knowledge useful to all doctors, regardless of their specialty.
• Objective and Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE): These are held in May and account for 30% of the final grade. They test students' ability to develop clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills. The minimum grade is 10/20.
• Academic progress grade: this continuous assessment takes into account the student's commitment, curriculum, mobility and level of English, and accounts for 10% of the final grade.

Specialization in gynecology

Once they have completed their general medical studies , students specializing in gynecology enter a five-year residency program. This course is divided into theoretical and practical training:

• Theoreticaltraining : interns follow theoretical courses covering the various aspects of gynecology. They attend conferences and congresses to keep abreast of the latest advances and research in the field.
• Practicaltraining : gynecology interns take part in outpatient consultations under the supervision of experienced gynecologists.

In addition, gynecology interns must write and defend a thesis in order to obtain their doctorate. On completion of this specialization, and after validating his or her internships, he or she obtains the Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées en Gynécologie (DES). After 11 years of study to become a gynecologist, the student can officially practice this profession. They can also continue their training by specializing in specific fields such as reproductive medicine, gynecological surgery or gynecological oncology.

Careers and opportunities in gynecology

Status of gynecologists

Young gynecologists registered with the Ordre des Médecins can now apply for jobs as gynecologists. They will also have to choose the status under which they will practice:

• Liberal: the gynecologist works as an independent professional in his or her own practice, or in collaboration with other healthcare professionals. They are autonomous in managing their own schedules, choosing their own equipment and setting their own fees. However, they must assume administrative and financial responsibility for their activity.
• Salaried : gynecologists may be employed by public hospitals, health centers or practices. This gives them access to state-of-the-art medical equipment and job stability, but less autonomy than self-employment.

Would you like to find out more? See our gynecologist salary sheet!

Gynecologists' practice locations

Gynecologists can choose to practice in a variety of locations, including :

• Private practices
• Hospitals and university hospitals
• Private clinics
• Health centers
• Institutes
• Research laboratories
• Humanitarian organizations

In short, gynecology studies are long and demanding. From initial selection via the PASS or L.AS, to specialized training during the internship and subspecializations, each stage is designed to train experts capable of responding to complex needs.

If you enjoyed this article and would like to find out more, take a look at our gynecologist job description!