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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Horton
J A
JA
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Washington, DC.
Cruess
D F
DF
Pearse
W H
WH
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States