The care of adolescents by obstetrician-gynecologists: a first look

To determine whether obstetrician-gynecologists who typically care for adolescent patients, what this care entails, and the adequacy of training opportunities in adolescent health care.

A questionnaire designed to elicit information regarding practice patterns of obstetrician-gynecologists mailed to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Collaborative Ambulatory Practice Network.

Obstetrician-gynecologists whose patient populations included girls under the age of 18.

Items in the questionnaire were generated to determine what care obstetrician-gynecologists are providing to adolescents, whether this care meets practice guidelines of major medical organizations, and whether obstetrician-gynecologists are receiving adequate training to provide this care.

Obstetrician-gynecologists frequently care for adolescent patients, with 72.6% seeing adolescents either monthly or weekly. The most frequently cited service needs pertained to reproductive health. Obstetrician-gynecologists also provide primary care, with 55.2% currently providing immunizations to adolescent patients. Nearly all (96.5%) plan to provide HPV immunizations. Most (80% or more) considered their residency training in obstetrics-gynecology on reproductive health to be adequate, but many reported inadequate or no training on primary care.

Obstetrician-gynecologists are an important part of the health care team caring for female adolescent patients. There is a lack of training during residency in obstetrics-gynecology in adolescent primary care issues. Increased training of obstetrician-gynecologists in all aspects of adolescent health care may increase the pool of health care providers who care for adolescents adequately. Collaborative efforts among all adolescent health care providers can improve access to quality health care for adolescents and the health of this population.