REACTIONS OF RESIDENCY DIRECTORS TO PRIMARY-CARE REQUIREMENTS IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY TRAINING

Objective: To determine the opinions of obstetrics and gynecology resi dency program directors regarding the Residency Review Committee manda te, requires 6 months of primary care training in obstetrics and gynec ology. Methods: A ten-question survey was mailed to the 272 accredited obstetrics and gynecology programs in the United States and Puerto Ri co. Program directors were asked about the adequacy of 6 months of pri mary care training, whether educational deficiencies in obstetrics and gynecology will develop as a result of the mandate, and whether resid ency programs should be lengthened to encompass primary care. Results: The response rate for the survey was 92.3% (251/272). University-affi liated, community, and military-based programs were surveyed and all g eographic areas of the country were represented. Of program directors responding, 53.4% agreed with the mandate, 43.0% disagreed, and 3.6% d eclined to answer this question or both agreed and disagreed. Fifty-on e percent considered 6 months of primary care training to be adequate, and 60.2% of program directors thought that educational deficiencies would develop in obstetrics and gynecology training programs. Whereas 66.1% responded that extension of obstetrics and gynecology training p rograms beyond 4 years was unnecessary, 32.7% thought program length s hould be increased. Conclusion: The results of this survey demonstrate that a substantial proportion of U.S. residency directors do not agre e with the Residency Review Committee mandate for primary care trainin g and think that deficiencies in obstetrics and gynecology training wi ll develop as a result of these changes.