Consolidation of hospital obstetric services--is it a reality?

Despite efforts toward regional planning of maternity services and consolidation of small hospital units, the number of US hospitals with maternity services has increased every year since 1973. Only 2 states have significantly reduced the number of hospitals performing less than 500 deliveries annually. The average number of annual deliveries per hospital is 728. No state has achieved an average number of deliveries as high as the 1500 deliveries called for in national guidelines for health planning.

Retirement patterns of obstetricians and gynecologists.

A sample survey of 769 ACOG Fellows who were age 60 or older in 1990 was undertaken to determine current patterns of retirement. Among 415 respondents, only 23% reported remaining in full-time practice of both obstetrics and gynecology, with an additional 16% in full-time practice of gynecology only. Full-time practice was reduced to part-time for 24% at the mean age of 63. Thirty-eight percent were fully retired at the mean age of 67.

Trends in obstetric-gynecologic academic manpower and research.

Medical school full-time faculties continue to grow, despite unchanged numbers of medical students and residents. The 136 United States schools have 2091 male and 861 female full-time faculty, an increase of 22% over the past 4 years. The mean faculty size is 21.6. While numbers of certified subspecialist faculty also continue to increase, a decreasing percentage of all subspecialists are associated with medical schools. More than 1000 additional faculty are anticipated over the next 5 years. Among all faculty, only 34% of physicians devoted 20% or greater time to research. Although total research funding averages over $1 million per department, there are wide disparities, with 59 departments receiving less than $100,000 in federal funding. Obstetric-gynecologic departments as a group receive 1.5% of all National Institutes of Health research funds.

Current trends in obstetric and gynecologic academic faculty manpower.

Five prior academic manpower studies were completed by ACOG and the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics in 1977-1990. In the current survey, a similar questionnaire was sent to the 130 accredited medical school departments of obstetrics-gynecology; 127 responded. The mean number of full-time faculty members per department is 25.8, an increase of 14% over the last 4 years. Among faculty, women constitute 30.4%, an increase of five percentage points since 1990. Certified subspecialists on faculties have increased 27% in the last 4 years, but decreasing percentages of all subspecialists are in faculty positions compared with private practice settings. Chairmen remain optimistic about continued faculty growth despite the inroads of managed care.

Subspecialization manpower in obstetrics and gynecology.

Growing interest in the emergence of subspecialties within obstetrics and gynecology prompted a survey of all Junior Fellows of the ACOG. That survey, representing the attitudes and expectations of 1702 housestaff and practitioners, disclosed that nearly 31% of obstetric-gynecologic residents planned to subspecialize as contrasted to 19.5% of postresidency obstetrician-gynecologists who either engaged in or plan to engage in subspecialty training/practice. The highest demand areas seemed to be in endocrinology and perinatology, and most subspecialists either limit or plan to limit their practice to the area specified. There was, in addition, a general feeling that subspecialists should confine their activities to major medical centers, and an unfavorable attitude was expressed toward subspecialty-board-imposed practice restrictions. Details regarding the factors influencing Junior Fellows' response to subspecialization are discussed.

Effect of gender on the obstetric-gynecologic work force.

As increasing numbers of female physicians enter the specialty of obstetrics and gynecology, their productivity (defined as producing goods and services) as compared with male physicians becomes important. Data from the American Medical Association socioeconomic survey and from a survey of ACOG Fellows indicate that, as a group, female physicians in the specialty are approximately 85% as productive as male physicians in the specialty. ACOG data for physician net income validate the productivity calculations (P <.03). The increasing numbers of female physicians in the specialty will lead to a decreasing aggregate productivity. At the same time, the increasing numbers of women of all ages in the United States will lead to a decline in the available obstetrician-gynecologist work force beginning in the year 2010.

Obstetric-gynecologic academic manpower--1986.

Full-time faculty numbers in academic departments of obstetrics-gynecology have resumed growth in the last three years, and now average 18.3 per department. Women are represented in a larger proportion than among practicing specialists. Faculty subspecialists are increasing in numbers, but their trend is toward practice rather than academic positions. Research involves 61% of the MD faculty. Chairmen predict major growth in faculty positions and in research over the next five years.

Primary and preventive care services provided by obstetrician-gynecologists.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level and types of primary and preventive care services delivered by obstetrician-gynecologists. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 1250 obstetrician-gynecologists practicing in the United States. The response rate was 71%. RESULTS: Fifty-three percent of the respondents indicated that they provide primary and preventive care during more than half of their practice time. Although obstetrician-gynecologists provide a wide range of preventive services, the proportion of doctors providing any specific service varies. Whereas virtually all (92% or more) obstetrician-gynecologists provide or order blood pressure screening, breast examinations, mammography, and Papanicolaou tests, only six of ten report regular cholesterol screening for most of their patients. A higher percentage of female obstetrician-gynecologists, who are on average younger than their male counterparts, report that they provide primary preventive services to most of their patients. CONCLUSION: The majority of obstetrician-gynecologists provide a wide range of primary and preventive care services to their patients, although there is variability in the proportion of doctors providing any specific service to most (60% or more) of their patients.

Regional planning--effects on the obstetrician-gynecologist.

Both the precepts and the impact of regional planning for maternity care are often misunderstood. Here, a summary of 8 separate studies in 5 geographic regions describes the reactions of obstetrician-gynecologists to systems of regional planning, as well as their use of the system and the impact of regional planning on their practices. Overall, few physicians acquired new obstetric privileges, and closure of maternity services had limited impact on their practices. Approximately 50% of the physicians referred some patients to level 2 or 3 units, but only 25% actually transferred patients in a given year. The perceptions of a majority of physicians were of improvement in patient services and physician education as a result of regional planning activities. Recommendations are offered for additional needed studies of regional planning efforts.

Workforce projections for subspecialists in obstetrics and gynecology.

OBJECTIVE: To project the future supply of practicing subspecialists in obstetrics and gynecology based on the most recent numbers of physicians entering fellowships. METHODS: A discrete actuarial model was developed, and supply projections were examined using 1999 subspecialty fellowship numbers from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. RESULTS: The numbers of obstetrician-gynecologists entering subspecialty fellowships in maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) and reproductive endocrinology-infertility (REI) declined sharply between 1994 and 1999. There was a slow increase in gynecologic oncology (GO) fellows. Projections show that the numbers of practicing MFM and GO subspecialists will double by 2020, but they will be serving a 20% larger female population in the United States. Numbers of practicing REI subspecialists will increase slowly. CONCLUSION: The number of fellows in GO continues to enlarge progressively though slightly, whereas those in MFM and REI have fallen sharply in recent years. Among four possible factors affecting growth or decline, the ones that seem most important are existing career opportunities for both generalist and subspecialist obstetrician-gynecologists and the length of subspecialty education.

Professional liability insurance in obstetrics-gynecology.

A geographically stratified sample of Fellows and Junior Fellows of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) responded to a questionnaire, describing the source, coverage, and cost of their professional liability insurance, and the effects this had on patterns of practice. Most physicians carry primary professional liability coverage, although 6% do not. The majority pay less than $8000/year for a wide variety of dollar coverages. Less than half of the surveyed obstetrician-gynecologists carry excess/umbrella liability insurance, and a majority pay less than $2000/year for this coverage. The liability problem has not had a substantial effect on restricting the number of obstetrician-gynecologists, but it has had a major effect on patterns of practice.

Academic manpower for obstetrics and gynecology in the United States.

All 119 medical schools in the United States provided information for a study of academic manpower conducted by the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO). The average number of full-time faculty members per medical school is 13.2, with 2 positions vacant per school. Subspecialists are concentrated in university medical school departments, which also have large residency programs. A perceived need for 46% more faculty over the next 5 years will probably aggravate the shortage.

Information management needs of the obstetrician-gynecologist--a survey.

A random sample survey of members of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) was conducted to ascertain the extent to which computer technology was being used by the members, and what further computer services and applications were needed. Computers were used by 38% of the members, with an additional 13% planning on getting a computer within the year. An average of 48% of the members had no plans for computerization, although this number was lower (29%) for physicians 36-45 years of age. There was no significant variation of use by physician sex or type of practice (office- versus non-office-based). Word processing and financial management were the most frequently used computer applications; clinical patient care tasks were used much less frequently and were presumably less available, because software for these tasks was also highly desirable. The most desired information services were uniform coding and terminology, high-risk patient management, electronic access to full-text obstetric and gynecologic data bases, and online clinical management protocols. Prescription writing, patient recall by drug, and drug inventory computer applications were among the least requested. Several educational, project development, communication, and member service strategies have been formulated to integrate medical information management activities for ACOG members.

Trends in obstetric-gynecologic academic manpower--1983.

Since 1980 medical school faculty growth has essentially ceased, in comparison to earlier substantial increases. Women are represented in full-time faculty positions in a larger proportion than among practicing obstetrician-gynecologists. Subspecialist numbers on faculties have increased, with a small decline in generalist obstetrician-gynecologists. Despite the current plateau, medical school departments project a 36% increase in faculty members during the next five years, and an even larger increase in faculty involved in research.

Modeling the future workforce of obstetrics and gynecology.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the current supply and distribution of obstetrician-gynecologists and project future supply under various scenarios. METHODS: A discrete actuarial supply model was developed, and practice patterns were analyzed. Supply projections under different scenarios, distributions, and practice profiles were examined. RESULTS: Women are expected to become the majority of practitioners by 2014. Continuation of current residency output will result in slow to no growth in obstetrician-gynecologist-to-female population ratios over the next 20 years. A minor (10%) reduction in specialty training would slow specialty growth over the next decade, followed by a slight reduction in supply. Services provided chiefly involve ambulatory reproductive health care, pregnancy, and surgical correction of conditions specific to the female genitourinary system. Even though the proportion of deliveries performed by midwives has increased and family practitioners have maintained their share, obstetrician-gynecologists provide the vast majority of obstetric care and virtually all services for perinatal complications. Generalist services represent relatively minor aspects of their practices. Care of the aged female population is highly fragmented among specialties; more than 50% of all aged Medicare beneficiaries who saw an obstetrician-gynecologist at least once failed to receive a majority of services from any one physician specialty. CONCLUSION: On the basis of trends in patient demographics and care patterns, obstetrician-gynecologists must resolve whether to provide more generalist office-based care, especially to the rapidly growing older female population, or to invest more intensively in surgical specialty care. The specialty's unique contributions to women's health should influence this decision.

A blueprint for academic obstetrics and gynecology.

A consensus conference sponsored by the Council of University Chairs of Obstetrics and Gynecology in February 1997 formulated the organization's response to the many external issues affecting academic medicine and obstetrics and gynecology including 1) a new practice model based on "wellness," 2) reimbursement changes that have jeopardized traditional revenue sources, 3) an emphasis on quality assurance based on outcomes research and evidence-based medicine, 4) the concept of lifelong learning dictated by an expanding knowledge base and new technology, 5) insufficient resources for basic and clinical investigation in obstetrics and gynecology, 6) workforce statistics indicating stabilization in the number of subspecialists, 7) the increasing diversity of the United States population. Recommendations were developed that are intended to foster change and contribute to the design of academic programs. These include appropriate training for residents as providers of primary care, with an emphasis on continuity clinics, an interdisciplinary curriculum in women's health for medical students; promotion of gender, racial, and ethnic diversity at all levels of medical education and academic leadership; creation of clinical trials research units; and the development of expanded opportunities for research in obstetrics and gynecology supported by the National Institutes of Health.

The Commonwealth Fund Women's Health Survey: selected results and comments.

The Commonwealth Fund survey had other facets, as well. Questions were asked and answers found in such areas as access to care, health insurance, work and role stress, social support systems, self-esteem and depression, and overall health status. There are 95 million women in America age 18 and over, and there are existing barriers to care, together with insufficient attention to prevention when care is received. Understanding the health risks and problems, The Commonwealth Fund has established a Commission on Women's Health, chaired by Ellen V. Futter, President of The American Museum of Natural History, former President of Barnard College. The Executive Director of the Commission is Joan Leiman, Executive Deputy Vice President, Health Sciences Division, Columbia University. The Fund is to be commended for the detailed information gathered and for establishing a follow-up program to make these pervasive health problems more widely known to the public and to health policy makers. Copies of the survey are available from the Communications Office at The Commonwealth Fund, (212) 535-0400.

Utilization of screening mammography--1990.

Although much has been accomplished in the last few years toward the early detection of breast cancer, we are far from a goal of universal acceptance of the recommended preventive health program of screening mammography. To take an analogy from the Papanicolaou smear, we are somewhere in the 1960s. Both women and physicians have more to learn, and they need to transfer that knowledge into practice.