Friday, 16 July 2004
Young American doctors are turning away from obstetrics and gynaecology. Since 1996, the number of graduates of US medical schools who enter O&G courses has dropped 23%, from 968 to 743. Only two-thirds of new residencies in O&G were filled by graduates of US medical schools -- compared with 86% eight years ago. "Nationally, we certainly are concerned about quality," says that head of O&G at Johns Hopkins Hospital. "If we're seeing fewer people going into the speciality, then we do need to start worrying about the quality of the people." The reasons are familiar ones: the highest insurance premiums in the medical profession, a demanding lifestyle and fewer men entering the profession.