1. Fellowship Training
- Author
-
Deborah A. Wing and Edward J. Quilligan
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Scope of practice ,Full-time ,education ,Subspecialty ,Job Satisfaction ,Cohort Studies ,Nursing ,Ambulatory care ,Obstetrics and gynaecology ,Pregnancy ,medicine ,Humans ,Fellowships and Scholarships ,Fellowship training ,Internet ,business.industry ,Data Collection ,Internship and Residency ,Obstetrics and Gynecology ,Professional Practice ,Evidence-based medicine ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,United States ,Obstetrics ,Pregnancy Complications ,Fetal Diseases ,Female ,business - Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the current scope of practice and evaluate the experience in training of maternal-fetal medicine specialists in the United States. METHODS We administered an Internet-based, 16-question survey of 1,764 members of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, inquiring about aspects of fellowship training and scope of practice after completion of training. RESULTS Approximately 36% (n=643) of surveys were returned. Most respondents were between 40 and 49 (230/640, 35.9%) and 50 and 59 (199/640, 31.1%) years old, and 411 were men (64.1%). Nearly all respondents (590/636, 92.8%) were certified in obstetrics and gynecology, and 80.1% (530/628) were certified in maternal-fetal medicine. The majority were in small-group practices of two to seven partners (359/634, 56.6%). Forty-nine percent (306/630) were in university-based practices, 26.8% (169/630) in university-affiliated practices, and 24.6% (155/630) in community-based or hospital-based practices. Most respondents work full time (40 hours per week or more), and the weekly practice profile consists primarily of ultrasonography (33.5%), consultation for high-risk patients (17.1%), and total obstetrical care for high-risk patients (15.4%).Training in most aspects of maternal-fetal medicine practice was felt to be adequate, with the exception of practice management. Time spent in training was spent primarily in high-risk pregnancy management (41%), ultrasonography (22%), and research (18%). CONCLUSION The current scope of maternal-fetal medicine practice incorporates more ambulatory care than hospital-based care. Training programs rate highly in adequacy for high-risk pregnancy management and ultrasonography but lower in other aspects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF