Practice management in obstetrics and gynecology residency curriculum

Objective: To establish the current level of instruction in practice manage ment in obstetrics and gynecology residency programs; review recommendation s of medical school practice management executives and current and former r esidents on design of practice management instruction programs; and develop recommendations for future management instruction by residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 101 practice plan executives of obstet rics and gynecology departments at medical schools in the United States and Canada. A modified version was sent to 44 current obstetrics and gynecolog y residents and 72 former residents from the University of Tennessee, Memph is. Results: The response rates were 71% (practice executives), 93% (current re sidents), and 81% (former residents). There were no formal management progr ams at 87% of responding institutions, although most respondents (62%) thou ght there should be mandatory participation in management programs, probabl y given by organizations outside the university. Potential subjects that re ceived high ratings were current procedural terminology and diagnosis codin g, managed care, billing procedures, contractual agreements between medical doctors, patient record management, and practice economics. Conclusion: Residency programs should establish formal practice management instruction programs and make participation mandatory. Funding should come from the medical school and university. Instructional help should come from extradepartmental organizations and individuals. (C) 1999 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.