title: Urogynecology practice patterns among Air Force obstetricians and gynecologists: survey results.
abstract: The objective of this study was to describe the practice patterns of physicians in the United States Air Force regarding the evaluation and treatment of female pelvic floor disorders including urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. A self-administered survey of 22 questions was electronically mailed to all active duty Air Force obstetricians & gynecologists. Fifty-one surveys were returned for a 51% response rate. Eighty-four percent of physicians treat urinary incontinence. A smaller percentage perform advanced reconstructive techniques, using biomaterials (35%), colpocleisis (39%), overlapping sphincter repairs (45%), and abdominal sacrocolpopexy (27%). When questioned about urogynecology training during residency, most respondents report inadequate training in advanced pelvic surgery techniques. In conclusion, the majority of Air Force obstetricians and gynecologists feel comfortable treating uncomplicated urinary incontinence but do not routinely perform advanced urogynecology surgeries. There is a continued need to train physicians in female pelvic medicine to treat a unique patient population.
authors.affiliation: David Grant United States Air Force Medical Center, 101 Bodin Circle, Travis AFB, CA 94535, USA. James.dunn@travis.af.mil
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gruber
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Broberg
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Thornton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine; D009774:Obstetrics; D017773:Pelvic Floor; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000601:surgery