ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To conduct a survey of the members of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) to determine the practice patterns of maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) subspecialists in the United States and to estimate the likelihood that our work force is sufficient to support the proposed MFM staffing requirements for level III and IV maternity centers. STUDY DESIGN: All regular SMFM members in the United States were invited to answer a 26 question survey by email. The survey queried demographic characteristics, practice type, night call arrangements, and whether the respondent's hospital was currently equipped with the services and personnel described in the requirements for level III or IV centers. RESULTS: Of the MFM specialists working full time in what would be considered a level III or IV maternity center, only 47.5% took in-house call. Of those taking only call from home or back-up call, the majority reported that during call hours, MFM antepartum and laboring patients are cared for by generalist obstetrician gynecologists; only 6.4% work with MFM hospitalists. Respondents from level III or IV centers also reported that many of their centers did not meet the criteria for nursing support, anesthesia support, or intensive care services. CONCLUSION: These data, if confirmed, indicate that work needs to be done to upgrade services and achieve appropriate staffing to meet the proposed level III and IV criteria for maternity care.
Subject(s)
Gynecology , Maternal Health Services/standards , Obstetrics , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Professional Practice Location/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States , WorkforceABSTRACT
Although maternal death remains rare in the United States, the rate has not decreased for 3 decades. The rate of severe maternal morbidity, a more prevalent problem, is also rising. Rise in maternal age, in rates of obesity, and in cesarean deliveries as well as more pregnant women with chronic medical conditions all contribute to maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States. We believe it is the responsibility of maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) subspecialists to lead a national effort to decrease maternal mortality and morbidity. In doing so, we hope to reestablish the vital role of MFM subspecialists to take the lead in the performance and coordination of care in complicated obstetrical cases. This article will summarize our initial recommendations to enhance MFM education and training, to establish national standards to improve maternal care and management, and to address critical research gaps in maternal medicine.
