Presidential address: The patient advocate, ,

The business environment in which we practice is changing. Social and medical problems of women continue for large numbers of our population. The obstetrician-gynecologist as the primary care provider for women must be active as the patientʹs advocate in the areas of sex education, contraceptive counseling, teenage pregnancy, domestic violence, healthy lifestyles, and decisions regarding appropriate health care. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;177:251-5.)