Abstracts

Personalized Medicine in the 21st Century for Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Prof Woo Yin Ling
Plenary 2

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
University Malaya Medical Centre

It can be said that the art of obstetrics and gynaecology is one of the most ‘personalized’ specialty in medicine. Classically defined as a doctor who specializes in pregnancy, childbirth, and a woman’s reproductive system, the obstetrician manages 2 patients throughout a woman’s pregnancy taking into account the well-being of the fetus and the mother with an appreciation of the unique physiology of pregnancy.  The gynaecologist, on the other hand, manages all other aspects of the female reproductive system outside of pregnancy, in health or disease.  So it is fair to say that the obstetrician and gynaecologist has always taken a personalized approach customizing healthcare.  With the advent of technological advances in healthcare, where do we foresee our specialty heading?  We live in the era of telemedicine, precision medicine and targeted therapy BUT how do those complement personalized medicine? In this short presentation, the speaker will challenge the each of us to consider our roles in the era of personalized medicine in the 21st century!