Obstetrician Gynecologists are frequently responsible for management of the primary care needs of their patients. A survey performed in 2005 found an estimated 37% of, non-pregnant patients, relies on gynecologists for routine primary care. The same study found that almost a quarter of gynecologists reported they needed additional primary care training across a broad set of medical topics (Acad Med. 2007; 82:602-607). The impetus for training in primary care skills is increasing. In response to language in the Affordable Care Act, the Institute of Medicine developed a report on clinical preventative services necessary for women (Clinical Preventative Services for Women: Closing the Gaps IOM. 2011; also Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology 2011, 23:471-480). The US Department of Health and Human services has adopted these IOM recommendations and, as a result, health plans are required to include these services. While initiatives such as the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Well-Woman Task Force and recent cross-specialty ACOG educational collaborations have begun to address supplemental educational needs, additional resources covering key primary care topics are necessary. This issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics is an ideal means for accomplishing this important goal.

Obstetrician Gynecologists are frequently responsible for management of the primary care needs of their patients. A survey performed in 2005 found an estimated 37% of, non-pregnant patients, relies on gynecologists for routine primary care. The same study found that almost a quarter of gynecologists reported they needed additional primary care training across a broad set of medical topics (Acad Med. 2007; 82:602–607). The impetus for training in primary care skills is increasing. In response to language in the Affordable Care Act, the Institute of Medicine developed a report on clinical preventative services necessary for women (Clinical Preventative Services for Women: Closing the Gaps IOM. 2011; also Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology 2011, 23:471–480). The US Department of Health and Human services has adopted these IOM recommendations and, as a result, health plans are required to include these services. While initiatives such as the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Well-Woman Task Force and recent cross-specialty ACOG educational collaborations have begun to address supplemental educational needs, additional resources covering key primary care topics are necessary. This issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics is an ideal means for accomplishing this important goal.

The Guest Editors have created a comprehensive issue devoted to the most current and clinically relevant approach to hysterectomies and their alternatives. Top experts have written articles on the following topics: Alternatives to Hysterectomy: Management of Uterine Fibroids; Alternatives to Hysterectomy: Management of Menorrhagia; Hysterectomy for benign conditions of the uterus: Total Abdominal Hysterectomy; Hysterectomy for benign conditions of the uterus: Total Vaginal Hysterectomy; Hysterectomy for benign conditions of the uterus: Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy/Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy; Hysterectomy for benign conditions of the uterus: Radical Hysterectomy Evidence basis for hysterectomy; Cesarean Hysterectomy; Management of ovaries at the time of benign Hysterectomy; Management of the peri- and postoperative patient undergoing hysterectomy; and Simulation and surgical competency: Current issues.

There have been exciting new developments and research related to currently available contraceptives. In addition, in the last seven years, emergency contraception has gone from behind the counter to being FDA-approved for use. This issue addresses the most important clinical leaps in contraception and family planning in the last decade, with emphasis on new options for long-term, reversible contraception and emergency contraception. Information is also included to address the impact of Affordable Health Care and legal aspects of sterilization.

Despite advances in medical technology and patient safety initiatives, maternal morbidity and mortality rates continue to increase. Maternal mortality trends in the US as reported from the CDC from 1989-2009 demonstrate increasing mortality trends from 7.2 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1987 to 17.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2009. To combat this problem, a thorough understanding of the critical medical and surgical issues that are often encountered in pregnancy is essential. Each article addresses a topic relevant to care of the critically ill gravida.

Dr. Iglesia has created an issue devoted to pelvic floor disorders that has a strong focus on the evidence behind current treatments and diagnostic methods. The authors are top experts in their areas and have contributed reviews on the most important topics in pelvic floor disorders, including Stress Urinary Incontinence; Urge Urinary Incontinence; Pelvic Organ Prolapse Native Tissue repairs; Pelvic Organ Prolapse Vaginal and Laparoscopic Mesh; Fecal Incontinence; PFDR Pelvic Floor Disorders Registry; Ultrasound Imaging of the Pelvic Floor; and Childbirth/Pelvic Floor Epidemiology to name a few.

Replete with vital information, the second edition of this authoritative women’s health text provides graduate nursing students and nurse practitioners with the resources to deliver optimal health to women of all ages. Edited by a team of highly distinguished clinicians, scholars, and educators, chapters retain a distinctive sociocultural lens that gives a view of women’s health as it relates to women’s lives and identities. Eighteen new chapters address clinical primary care topics, genetics, environmental and occupational health promotion, health considerations for female caregivers, transgender care, urologic health concerns, dementia care, and more. An instructor’s toolkit includes multiple resources to enhance critical thinking, and case studies engage critical thinking skills to apply the multidimensional content in context. This uniquely comprehensive resource examines women’s health through a variety of clinical practice and theoretical frameworks such as feminism, feminist theory, and globalization. The second edition retains the important focus on prevention, managing symptoms, and health problems that are unique to women. Chapters address relevant legal issues, health throughout the life span, nutrition and exercise, sleep difficulties, mental health, LGBTQ health, fertility, substance abuse, violence against women, and dozens of specific health disorders. NEW TO THE SECOND EDITION: Updated to include the most current evidence-based, primary care management guidelines in women’s health Includes 18 new chapters addressing health promotion and symptom management Provides a robust instructor’s toolkit to foster critical thinking Organized to enhance easy retrieval of numerous clinical topics Includes theoretical frameworks for women’s health, health promotion and prevention, and women’s health management Presents brand-new information on genetics, transgender health, endocrine-related problems, health considerations for caregivers, and dementia care KEY FEATURES: Distills cutting-edge information on women’s health issues through a sociocultural framework Offers a comprehensive investigation of key topics in women’s health Edited by renowned scholar/educators for advanced practice nursing students