American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 199, Issue 1 , Pages 88.e1-88.e8, July 2008

Outlook for the future of the obstetrician-gynecologist workforce

  • Britta L. Anderson, BA

      Affiliations

    • Research Department, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Washington, DC
    • The Department of Psychology, American University, Washington, DC
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprints: Britta Anderson, BA, Research Department, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 409 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024.
    • ,
  • Ralph W. Hale, MD

      Affiliations

    • The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Washington, DC
    • ,
  • Edward Salsberg, MPA

      Affiliations

    • The Center for Workforce Studies, Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, DC.
    • ,
  • Jay Schulkin, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Research Department, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Washington, DC

Received 3 October 2007; received in revised form 20 November 2007; accepted 7 March 2008. published online 06 May 2008.

Objective

The objective of the study was to assess the future physician workforce with a sample of obstetrician-gynecologists.

Study Design

Two separate surveys regarding career satisfaction and retirement plans were sent to random samples of obstetrician-gynecologists under age 50 years (n = 2,000) and over the age of 50 (n = 2,100).

Results

Obstetrician-gynecologists over the age of 50 years who were working part time or were female were more satisfied than those working full time or were male. Obstetrician-gynecologists (under and over age 50 years) who were concerned about liability and unable to balance their work and personal lives were more dissatisfied. Obstetrician-gynecologists retired earlier than planned because of rising malpractice costs and later than planned because of high career satisfaction.

Conclusion

Low career satisfaction may be adding to the already shrinking physician workforce. Offering part-time work opportunities and alleviating liability concerns may increase career satisfaction and help to combat a future of the physician workforce shortage.

Key words: obstetrician-gynecologists, malpractice, part-time, satisfaction, retirement

 

 This study was supported by the Office of Medical Applications of Research, National Institutes of Health, and Grant R60 MC 05674 from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.

 Cite this article as: Anderson BL, Hale RW, Salsberg E, et al. Outlook for the future of the obstetrician-gynecologist workforce. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008;199:88.e1-88.e8.

PII: S0002-9378(08)00277-9

doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2008.03.013

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 199, Issue 1 , Pages 88.e1-88.e8, July 2008

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