Proportion of family physicians providing maternity care continues to decline

J Am Board Fam Med. 2012 May-Jun;25(3):270-1. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2012.03.110256.

Abstract

Family physicians traditionally have played an integral role in delivering babies as a component of the comprehensive care they provide for women. The proportion of family physicians who report providing any maternity care continues to decrease. This trend is particularly concerning because family physicians are the most widely distributed specialty and are essential to health care access in rural areas.

MeSH terms

  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Health Services Needs and Demand*
  • Humans
  • Maternal Health Services / standards
  • Maternal Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Obstetrics / standards
  • Obstetrics / statistics & numerical data*
  • Physicians, Family / statistics & numerical data*
  • Rural Health
  • United States