Patient Perspectives of Obstetrician-Gynecologists as Primary Care Providers

Abstract

Objective: To examine women�s perceptions of their obstetrician/gynecologist (ob-gyn) as primary care provider (PCP) and comfort in receiving primary care services in an ob-gyn setting.

Study design: Survey regarding women�s use of their ob-gyn provider as a PCP, their desire and comfort in receiving primary care services from them, and their perceptions of their ob-gyn�s delivery of primary care. Associations were assessed between use of an ob-gyn as PCP and various demographic and attitudinal factors, as well as patients� perceptions of primary care performance

Results: The response rate was 48% (1,404/2,916). Overall, the majority of participants responded that routine primary care services are available at their ob-gyn office and that they were comfortable receiving those services from their ob-gyn. Twenty percent of respondents considered their ob-gyn as their PCP, 52% considered another provider their PCP, and 28% of women did not identify a PCP. Women who were pregnant, mothers of newborns, and patients without a chronic health condition were more likely to identify their ob-gyn as their PCP.

Conclusion: A substantial proportion of women consider their ob-gyn their primary care provider and do not visit another provider regularly. While ob-gyns may not consider themselves as PCPs, they are often perceived as such by patients.