Journal of South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

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VOLUME 12 , ISSUE 6 ( November-December, 2020 ) > List of Articles

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Specialists’ View on Segregating Obstetrics and Gynecology

Shikha Rani, Alka Sehgal, Dilpreet K Pandher, Rimpy Tandon

Citation Information : Rani S, Sehgal A, Pandher DK, Tandon R. Specialists’ View on Segregating Obstetrics and Gynecology. J South Asian Feder Obs Gynae 2020; 12 (6):387-390.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10006-1841

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 12-04-2021

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2020; The Author(s).


Abstract

Background: Presently care to all women is given under the single umbrella of obstetrics and gynecology. Obstetrics is a very demanding field with unpredictable working hours and less social life. That is why over the career line many doctors leave obstetrics and go for gynecology practice. This trend has increased over the years which can affect the future workforce. Laborist model of care has been proposed to overcome this. But segregating obstetrics and gynecology can give a permanent solution to the future workforce. To evaluate this hypothesis, a survey was done to gather the opinion of obstetrics–gynecology specialists on the perceived need, benefits, and harms of separating obstetrics and gynecology. Material and methods: This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted from September 2016 to May 2018. Enrolled subjects were the obstetrician and gynecologists who have completed their postgraduation. A questionnaire was prepared using Google forms, keeping in view all the aspects of study. Obstetricians and gynecologists were contacted by mail, Facebook and WhatsApp groups, or in person to fill the pro forma. Stata was used to analyze the data. Mean was calculated for continuous variables and proportions for discrete variables. Analysis was performed to evaluate any relation of age, years of experience, or type of workplace from the viewpoint of segregating the branch. Results: One hundred sixty-seven responses were received. Mean age was 39.4 ± 10.3 years. Thirty-seven percent had 15 years of experience in obstetrics and gynecology. Eighty-eight percent of the respondents were practicing both fields. Doctors for and against the segregation of obstetrics and gynecology were 55% and 39%, respectively. Main reasons for the segregation were delivering better medical care, increased scope of subspecialization, and improved knowledge and skills of doctors. Others cited that obstetrics and gynecology are very much interrelated branches so cannot be separated. If already separated fields, 65% (48/137) would have opted gynecology and 35% (48/137) obstetrics. However, no difference was found in the preference for or against the segregation of medical field by age, years of experience, or the type of workplace (government/private). Conclusion: Medical fraternity feels the need for segregating obstetrics and gynecology.


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