Beyond the Clinic Family Medicine on a Mission Part 1: How Air Force Physicians Achieve Humanitarian Goals Read Family Medicine on a Mission Part 1: How Air Force Physicians Achieve Humanitarian Goals
Phoenix Newsletter - March 2025 President’s Message: ABFM’s Unwavering Commitment to Diplomates and the Specialty Read President’s Message: ABFM’s Unwavering Commitment to Diplomates and the Specialty
Home Research Research Library Challenges Faced by Family Physicians Providing Advanced Maternity Care Challenges Faced by Family Physicians Providing Advanced Maternity Care 2018 Author(s) Eden, Aimee R, and Peterson, Lars E Topic(s) What Family Physicians Do Keyword(s) Maternity Care Volume Maternal and Child Health Journal Source Maternal and Child Health Journal Introduction Maldistribution of maternity care (MC) providers in the U.S. limits access to full spectrum MC services. Obstetricians are concentrated in urban areas with many rural areas reliant on family physicians (FP) to provide MC, yet fewer FPs are providing MC. The objective of this study was to understand the challenges FPs face in gaining skills in and providing advanced MC. Methods We conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with 51 purposively sampled key stakeholders in family medicine MC (21 family medicine-OB fellowship directors, 19 past fellows, and 10 family medicine residency directors of programs with advanced MC training). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using an inductive approach to qualitative content analysis. Results Three primary challenges for FPs providing advanced MC emerged from the interviews. Training: most family medicine residency programs do not provide sufficient surgical OB training, so fellowship training is an important alternative for FPs to acquire such skills. Credentialing: obtaining hospital privileges to perform cesarean sections is unpredictable and highly variable by institution. Professional relationships: “turf battles” with other MC providers can limit FPs’ ability to provide care commensurate with their level of training. Discussion As the predominant provider of MC in rural and underserved areas, FPs need to be supported to provide advanced MC services. Possible strategies to accomplish this include: enhanced family medicine training in MC; policy changes to address credentialing inconsistencies; and improved team-based care for pregnant women to ensure that every woman has access to high quality MC. Read More ABFM Research Read all 2020 How Should Board Certification Evolve? Go to How Should Board Certification Evolve? 2015 More Comprehensive Care Among Family Physicians is Associated with Lower Costs and Fewer Hospitalizations Go to More Comprehensive Care Among Family Physicians is Associated with Lower Costs and Fewer Hospitalizations 2019 Comparing Comprehensiveness in Primary Care Specialties and Their Effects on Healthcare Costs and Hospitalizations in Medicare Beneficiaries Go to Comparing Comprehensiveness in Primary Care Specialties and Their Effects on Healthcare Costs and Hospitalizations in Medicare Beneficiaries 2019 Palliative Care Champions Are a Promising Solution to Meeting Patient Needs Go to Palliative Care Champions Are a Promising Solution to Meeting Patient Needs
Author(s) Eden, Aimee R, and Peterson, Lars E Topic(s) What Family Physicians Do Keyword(s) Maternity Care Volume Maternal and Child Health Journal Source Maternal and Child Health Journal
ABFM Research Read all 2020 How Should Board Certification Evolve? Go to How Should Board Certification Evolve? 2015 More Comprehensive Care Among Family Physicians is Associated with Lower Costs and Fewer Hospitalizations Go to More Comprehensive Care Among Family Physicians is Associated with Lower Costs and Fewer Hospitalizations 2019 Comparing Comprehensiveness in Primary Care Specialties and Their Effects on Healthcare Costs and Hospitalizations in Medicare Beneficiaries Go to Comparing Comprehensiveness in Primary Care Specialties and Their Effects on Healthcare Costs and Hospitalizations in Medicare Beneficiaries 2019 Palliative Care Champions Are a Promising Solution to Meeting Patient Needs Go to Palliative Care Champions Are a Promising Solution to Meeting Patient Needs
2015 More Comprehensive Care Among Family Physicians is Associated with Lower Costs and Fewer Hospitalizations Go to More Comprehensive Care Among Family Physicians is Associated with Lower Costs and Fewer Hospitalizations
2019 Comparing Comprehensiveness in Primary Care Specialties and Their Effects on Healthcare Costs and Hospitalizations in Medicare Beneficiaries Go to Comparing Comprehensiveness in Primary Care Specialties and Their Effects on Healthcare Costs and Hospitalizations in Medicare Beneficiaries
2019 Palliative Care Champions Are a Promising Solution to Meeting Patient Needs Go to Palliative Care Champions Are a Promising Solution to Meeting Patient Needs
