Free pregnancy testing increases maternity care volume in family medicine residencies

Increased prenatal volume in family medicine residencies is associated with a higher proportion of graduates including maternity care in their post-residency practices. However, family medicine residencies struggle just to meet the Residency Review Committee's minimum requirements for maternity care volume. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of free pregnancy testing on increasing maternity care volume in our residency.

In this before-after intervention study, free pregnancy testing was offered at the residency's Family Health Center (FHC) from May 2011 through November 2012 to established patients and non-patients. Participants with positive tests were provided information on maternity care and an opportunity to schedule an initial prenatal visit. The primary outcome was the percentage of self-referred patients who established prenatal care at FHC.

Over 19 months, 241 tests were performed on 224 women with a mean age of 26.2±6.3. Over half were minorities (130 [58%]). Most were under-insured or uninsured (193 [86.1%]). Ninety-nine women (41.1%) had positive tests; 74 of these 99 women (74.7%) established prenatal care at FHC, and 57 of these 74 women (77%) were new patients. The number of obstetric patients increased 13% from 405 to 456 patients. The percentage of self-referred patients increased from 31.9% to 40.8% (P<.001). The total cost of 241 pregnancy tests was $256.24, and maternity care revenue for just one patient was $1,553.

The program's return on investment is favorable. Offering free pregnancy testing is a simple and inexpensive way to increase maternity care volume in a family medicine residency.