Perinatal outcomes: a comparison between family physicians and obstetricians

This retrospective study compared obstetrician and family physician patient population demographics, obstetric outcomes, delivery methods, and medical risk factors.

Obstetricians and family practice faculty and residents provided delivery services at an urban community hospital. A retrospective case study of all deliveries by obstetrician-gynecologists and family physicians in a 20-month period was analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, logistic regression, and power analysis. A modified risk score analysis was completed on all patients to assess comparability between the obstetrician and family physician patients.

Risk score analysis of the two patient populations demonstrated no difference in high-risk patients (P = 0.102). Family physicians' patients had a lower incidence of Cesarean section, use of forceps, diagnosis of cephalopelvic disproportion, and low-birth-weight babies. They had a higher incidence of spontaneous vaginal delivery, vaginal birth after previous Cesarean section, and vacuum extraction use. The overall Cesarean section rate for family physicians was 15.4 percent, compared with 26.5 percent for obstetricians.

These findings support the high-quality outcomes of perinatal care provided by family physicians. They also provide evidence for training and privileging family physicians to perform their own Cesarean sections.