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Is there any discussion among the halachic authorities as to whether or not a man can choose to pursue a medical career in gynaecology? The issue that I would presume exists is that unlike other parts of medicine the focus here is solely on the female reproductive system there may be problems of tznius. I have also read anecdotal evidence that there is an increased likelihood of sexual misconduct among those doctors.

Is there any halachic discussion as to the appropriateness (or not) of a man becoming a gynecologist?

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interesting -- a quick search shows discussions of negiah and yichud but not any underlying issue of tzniyus. –  Danno Apr 4 '13 at 13:35
@Dan I assumed negiah wasn't an issue in a medical setting and that yichud was not a problem if anyone (such as a nurse) could walk in at any time. Furthermore many doctors have taken to having nurses or others present during examinations to avoid law suits, this might help the yichud issue. –  user2110 Apr 4 '13 at 13:39
right. Both of those are addressed (at least anecdotally) elsewhere ["professional touch" and "nurse in the room" as answers]. I was just surprised that no one seems to have mentioned the tzniyus angle. –  Danno Apr 4 '13 at 14:06
This site might be a good resource for info. aojs.org/pmh.asp# –  sam Apr 4 '13 at 14:39
Is the suggestion that no one should be a gynecologist, women should be gynecologists, or non-Jewish men should do it? –  Double AA Apr 5 '13 at 5:33

2 Answers 2

H/T Rabbi Torczyner.

Binyan Tzion I:75 (Rabbi Yaakov Ettlinger) addresses a rabbi who was asked "may I deliver my sister-in-law's baby?" Halachically, inappropriately touching your sister-in-law is no different than inappropriately touching random married-to-someone-else woman, but there's perhaps a certain "eww" factor that prompted the question.

His ruling:

Image of Binyan Tzion 75 responsum

... [many authorities] agreed with Shach, that while deeply focused on one's profession there is no prohibition on touching a prohibited woman; and the Kreisi UPleisi [R. Yonasan Eibeschutz] wrote that it is common practice that a woman with a wound in her stomach or other private areas, that doctors will look at it.

Though in my humble opinion, a good G-d fearing doctor will attempt to avoid delivering babies if another doctor is available, as regardless it is distasteful and it will bring one to inappropriate thoughts. HOWEVER those who are lenient certainly have what upon to rely ... therefore for Jewish doctors who are in the practice of delivering the babies of married women [other than their wives] even if non-Jewish doctors are available, delivering one's sister-in-law would also be permissible. That's how it appears to me.

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Where is this Noda B'Yehuda it would be very chashuv for me to know. Please edit the answer with the source and ping me! Thanks! –  Yehoshua Apr 25 '13 at 22:25
@Yehoshua, sorry it's a Binyan Tzion. Take a look. –  Shalom Apr 26 '13 at 2:24

The Tzitz Eliezer, a posek who specialized in medical issues, dealt with the issue at length, unfortunately I don't have access to the index or Bar Ilan search engine currently. However, from a anecdotal side the Rabbis of the PUAH institutes decided that only men, and not women, should be speakers at a gynecological conference.

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Did you ever find the Tzitz Eliezer? Please edit the answer and ping me if you ever do. Thanks. –  Yehoshua Apr 25 '13 at 22:25

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