Ob.Gyn. Specialty Shifts Practice, Training Methods : Everything from new attitudes to technology will alter the way young physicians do their work.

“This is where we'll be training our residents and our faculty in the very, very near future,” she said.

Telementoring will begin to play a role, with surgical mentors outside the OR sometimes guiding trainees in real surgery through audiovisual connections.

All this new technology isn't inexpensive, but hospitals probably will cover much of the cost if certifying physicians' surgical skills can help reduce malpractice risks, Dr. Fenner said.

Ob.gyn. residents should have a bit more time for surgical rotations after July 2005, when primary care requirements will be trimmed. No mandatory rotations in primary care clinics and fewer continuity clinics will mean more time for subjects that are more integral to ob.gyns.—a prediction applauded by physicians at the meeting.