Role of the Hospitalist and Maternal Fetal Medicine Physician in Obstetrical Inpatient Care.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of hospitalists and Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) subspecialists in obstetrical inpatient care.


METHODS
This electronic survey study was offered to members of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ACOG; n = 1,039) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM; n = 1,813).


RESULTS
Overall, 607 (21%) respondents completed the survey. Overall, 35% reported that hospitalists provided care in at least one of their hospitals. Compared with ACOG respondents, a higher frequency of SMFM respondents reported comfort with hospitalists providing care for all women on labor and delivery (74.4 vs. 43.5%, p = 0.005) and women with complex issues (56.4 vs. 43.5%, p = 0.004). The majority of ACOG respondents somewhat/completely agreed that hospitalists were associated with decreased adverse events (69%) and improved safety/safety culture (70%). Overall, 35% of ACOG respondents have MFM consultation available with 53% having inpatient coverage. Of these, 85% were satisfied with MFM availability.


CONCLUSIONS
Over one-third of respondents work in units staffed with hospitalists and more than half have inpatient MFM coverage. It is important to evaluate if and how hospitalists can improve maternal and perinatal outcomes, and the types of hospitals that are best served by them.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Lisa D
LD
Levine
Department of Research, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Washington, District of Columbia.
Jay
J
Schulkin
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
Brian M
BM
Mercer
Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia.
Daniel
D
O'Keeffe
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Vincenzo
V
Berghella
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine at University of California Irvine, Irvine, California.
Thomas J
TJ
Garite
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D020445:Hospitalists; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics; D010500:Perinatology; D010819:Physician's Role; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires