Caesarean section on demand: influence of personal birth experience and working environment on attitude of German gynaecologists.
OBJECTIVE
We performed a survey among German obstetricians and gynecologists in order to evaluate the influence of biographic data, working environment and personal birth experience on the attitude towards Cesarean Section on demand.


METHODS
All 2106 board-certified gynecologists in Baden-Württemberg received an anonymous questionnaire in 2002-2003 concerning attitude towards C-section on demand, biographical data, personal birth experience and working environment. Seven hundred and nineteen questionnaires were returned and entered into statistical analysis.


RESULTS
General approval of C-section was in 59% of all participants, with huge statistically significant variations according to age, personal birth experience and working field. When asked for their preferred way of delivery for themselves or their partner after a low-risk pregnancy, 90% of the responding gynecologists opted for vaginal delivery. The approval depended statistically significant on parenthood, personal birth experience and working environment.


CONCLUSIONS
Biographical data, personal birth experience and working environment influence the attitude towards elective Cesaran section. Although 90% would chose vaginal delivery for themselves or their partner as best medical practice, 59% of the physicians approve of the general opportunity of C-section on demand. This shows, that not only best medical practice, but also patient autonomy and forensic aspects seem to play an important role.
Faas-Fehervary
Patricia
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany. patricia.fehervary@gyn.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
Schwarz
Kai
K
Bauer
Lelia
L
Melchert
Frank
F
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006176:Gynecology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics; D036801:Parturition; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011364:Professional Practice