**9. The future**

In 1998, Jacoby and colleagues accurately predicted that within the US, females would soon constitute the majority of OB/GYN physicians. This prediction is becoming reality in many nations. If the increasing number of patients in the aging population is combined with the decreased productivity of female OB/GYNs, especially in their child-bearing and child– rearing years, then there will be a shortage of OB/GYNs (Pearse et al., 2001). Laborists, midwives and FM physicians can only accommodate part of the increased obstetric load, and their use varies widely between countries (Jacoby et al., 1998; Scott et al., 2010; Weinstein, 2003). In addition, the predicted shortage of OB/GYNs will reduce the number of OB/GYN physicians many aging women use as their primary care provider. Therefore, OB/GYN residency programs must take into consideration the need for teaching various primary care skills (including geriatric issues) to their students so that every OB/GYN can be prepared for the aging female population (Frank et al., 1999).
