Profession

N.Y. sees decline in ob-gyn supply

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 22, 2006

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

A report from the New York Center for Health Workforce Studies found that the number of ob-gyns in the state is on the decline, particularly in upstate areas. That could spell access problems for women in those regions, the report said.

Researchers examined ob-gyn practice patterns between 1995 and 2005 and discovered a 4% drop in the supply of active ob-gyns statewide from 2000 to 2004. Some upstate regions saw sharper declines. For example, the Mohawk Valley experienced a 43% drop in active ob-gyns.

In part, demographic changes in New York contributed to the change in the number of ob-gyn jobs available and the overall decline in the number of ob-gyns, researchers said.

The total number of births in New York declined more than 7% between 1995 and 2003, and the birth rate per 1,000 women of childbearing age dropped by more than 5 per 1,000. During the same period, the number of births in New York City slipped more than 5%, and the birth rate per 1,000 women of childbearing age decreased more than 8 per 1,000. The number of ob-gyn procedures being done, both same-day and multiple-day hospital procedures, also declined statewide.

Despite the downturn in the number of births and procedures performed, researchers said the number of ob-gyns in some areas in the state, such as Mohawk Valley, was shrinking so fast that women in these regions could be facing access problems soon.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/05/22/prbf0522.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn