Primary and preventive healthcare in obstetrics and gynecology: a study of practice patterns in the mid-atlantic region.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the current perspective of regional obstetrician/gynecologists on providing primary/preventive healthcare, including their desire to provide primary care in their practices and whether or not they are adequately trained as primary care providers. METHODS: A self-administered survey with a Likert scale that included demographic information and questions about the practice of primary healthcare was mailed to regional obstetrician/gynecologists both in practice and in residency training. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-nine physicians responded to the survey (33% response rate). Respondents were divided (48% agreed vs. 52% disagreed) when asked if obstetrician/gynecologists should be considered primary healthcare providers. When asked if they viewed themselves as specialists who also provide primary care for women, the majority of physicians (62%) agreed. The majority of physicians (64%) disagreed when asked if they wanted to include primary care in their practice. When asked if they thought that they were adequately trained to provide primary healthcare, respondents were divided (47% agreed vs. 53% disagreed). However, a significant gender difference was found between respondents, with male physicians being more likely than female physicians to agree (55% vs. 33%, p < 0.05) when asked if they were adequately trained to provide primary care. CONCLUSIONS: In this regional study of obstetrician/gynecologists, physician opinions were divided regarding their status as primary care providers, but the majority of respondents did not want to include primary healthcare in their practice. A significant gender difference exists between physicians with regard to the question of adequate training for primary care, with male obstetrician/gynecologists being more likely as to agree that they are adequately trained to provide primary care.