[Staffing and emergency service in Norwegian obstetrics and gynecology departments].
BACKGROUND
We have made a survey of activities, skills, staffing and emergency services in Norwegian units for obstetrics and gynaecology.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to all 43 units in February 2003.


RESULTS
All units replied; 42 reported to have delivery service with emergency staffing. The reported annual number of births varied from 100 to 5600 (median 825, mean 1258). There was a large difference in the number of doctors on call in relation to annual number of births, with the larger units having a higher number of births per doctor on call. 60% of deliveries took place in units with a specialist always available. The numbers of doctors in each unit varied from 1 to 48 (median 8, mean 11). The outpatient activity was higher in local hospitals. Physicians with doctorates were mostly to be found in university hospitals.


CONCLUSIONS
The survey demonstrates a large variation in emergency services, distribution of posts and academic skills. This may reflect different functions and geographic conditions, though there are also large differences among comparable institutions.
Salvesen
Helga B
HB
Kvinneklinikken, Haukeland Universitetssykehus, 5021 Bergen. helga_salvesen@dfci.harvard.edu
Trovik
Jone
J
Børdahl
Per E
PE
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003696:Delivery Rooms / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009664:Norway; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce