Anesthesiologists' practice of obstetric anesthesiology

Physicians trained in obstetric anesthesia and no longer practicing it were questioned regarding conditions that were responsible for their leaving the field. A questionnaire was prepared to determine whether the physicians' activity in obstetric anesthesia continued after fellowship training. The survey yielded a response rate of 76%. Forty-two percent of the respondents spend more than 40% of their clinical anesthesia time in obstetric anesthesia, and 58% spend less than 40% in it. The reasons for less of an emphasis on obstetric anesthesia were finances, personal matters, lack of recognition, long hours and too much call, and lack of stimulation.