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. 2021 Jan-Feb;34(1):10-11.
doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2021.01.200132.

The Essential Role of Family Physicians in Providing Cesarean Sections in Rural Communities

Sebastian T Tong  1 , Aimee R Eden  2 , Zachary J Morgan  2 , Andrew W Bazemore  2 , Lars E Peterson  2
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Free article

The Essential Role of Family Physicians in Providing Cesarean Sections in Rural Communities

Sebastian T Tong et al. J Am Board Fam Med. 2021 Jan-Feb.
Free article

Abstract

Of family physicians who perform cesarean sections, more than half do so in rural communities and 38.6% provide cesarean sections in counties without any obstetrician/gynecologists. As policymakers in the United States struggle with a widening landscape of 'obstetrical deserts,' efforts to adequately train a family physician workforce prepared to provide cesarean sections could help maintain access to local obstetric services in rural communities and reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Cesarean Section; Family Physicians; Health Workforce; Maternal Health Services; Obstetrics; Pregnancy; Rural Health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interests: STT is employed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality but contributed to this article in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Department of Health and Human Services or the Federal government. ARE, ZJM, AWB, and LEP are employed by the American Board of Family Medicine.

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