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Is there a trade organization that represents OB/GYNs?
The Cambridge Dictionary defines a trade association, or trade organization, as an "organization that supports companies and employers of a particular type of industry and protects their rights." Several organizations exists within obstetrics & gynecology which serve both companies and employees, work only with this industry, and protect the rights of professionals and companies associated with the industry. OB-Gyn trade organizations operate nationally and internationally to serve and protect the companies and employees in the obstetrics and gynecology industry.
Understanding trade organizations
Determining the existence of trade organizations specific to the obstetrics and gynecology field first requires a definition of the term. The search for an accurate and precise definition of the term only saw success upon substitution of the word organization with association. This led to the Cambridge definition, in which a trade association is an "organization that supports companies and employers of a particular type of industry and protects their rights." This definition suggests several traits an organization must possess to qualify as a trade association. First, they provide support. Although support can take many forms, we can at least assume it would be an effort with a clear positive intent. Second, that support must be provided for companies and employees. Unions, organizations representing business owners, or any other group that serves one or the other, cannot be classified as a trade organization. Third, the companies and employees served by the organization are targeted and specific to a certain industry. Given this, organizations such as the American Medical Association are too broadly targeted to qualify as trade organizations. Last, the organization protects the rights of those in its industry. These four traits provide a working definition to analyze organizations related to OB-Gyn field and decide if any qualify as a trade association.
American Gynecological & Obstetrical Society (AGOS)
The goal of AGOS, as stated by their website is "providing dedicated leadership and promoting excellence in research, education and medical practice." Leadership and educational and research resources are efforts with a clearly positive intent. AGOS membership depends on scholarship, contributions, and the respect of one's peers, with no segment of the industry excluded from membership. They are specifically targeted to a narrowly defined industry. They protect the rights of those in their industry through the bylaws and standards put into practice and published on their site.
The Federation of Obstetrics & Gynecological societies of India (FOGSI)
The advancement of education receives constant emphasis on the FOGSI website, one of the ways FOGSI attempts to serve the industry. Even more so than AGOS, FOGSI qualifies as a trade association due to the efforts it publicizes to enhance the education of more than just the doctors, but also the ultrasound technicians. In their profile, the protection of the rights of those in the industry is named as a priority for the organization, giving it all four required traits.
The American congress of obstetricians and gynecologists (Acog)
ACOG's website demonstrates several supportive efforts for this specific industry, from education to advise regarding practice management. Those two also demonstrate to a certain extent the fact that ACOG represents both the employees and companies In the footer of each page on ACOG's website, there is a section labeled "Advocacy", in which they demonstrate their protection of the rights of those in their industry as well as the women they serve.
International federation of gynecology and obstetrics (figo)
Like the other examples provided, FIGO also supports through education, but on a global scale, requiring a multicultural voice in addition to the egalitarian one. Their membership is open to any representative of a nation's practitioners of gynecology and obstetrics. They protect the rights of those members, but through a unique, global perspective.
Conclusion
The term trade organization or association refers to an organization that supports and protects all of those within a narrowly defined industry. Given this definition, such organizations exist for the OB-Gyn industry, both on a national and international level.