Periodic assessments offer an excellent opportunity for obstetricians and gynecologists to provide preventive screening, evaluation, and counseling. This appendix provides the recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee on Gynecologic Practice for routine assessments in primary and preventive care for women based on age and risk factors.
Annual assessments provide an excellent opportunity to counsel patients about preventive care and to provide or refer for recommended services. These assessments should include screening, evaluation and counseling, and immunizations based on age and risk factors. The interval for individual services varies.
These recommendations, based on age and risk factors, serve as a framework for care, which may be provided by a single physician or a team of health care professionals. The scope of services provided by obstetrician–gynecologists in the ambulatory setting will vary from practice to practice. The recommendations should serve as a guide for the obstetrician–gynecologist and others providing health care for women and should be adapted as necessary to meet patients’ needs. For example, the presence of certain risk factors may influence the need for additional assessments and interventions. The policies and recommendations of College committees regarding specific aspects of the health care of women have been incorporated; they may differ from the recommendations of other groups. Note: This information should not be construed as dictating an exclusive course of treatment or procedure to be followed.
