AMA obstetrics survey main points
25 March, 2003
The AMA survey was conducted by fax poll of 102 registered
specialist obstetricians. The response rate was more than 70%.
Main points
- 71% indicated they will cease practicing within the next five
years or are undecided whether they will continue to practice
- Only 29% indicated they intend to continue indefinitely
- Reasons given for leaving speciality - 1) indemnity and 2)
lifestyle
- When asked what will keep them in obstetric practice almost
100 % responded: indemnity reform
Obstetricians as a group are
getting older
- Only 11% commenced in the last five years
- 47% had been practicing for 15 years or more
Other useful statistics
- Indemnity Insurance premiums for obstetricians in WA are over
$70,000 - ten years ago it was $7,000. In NSW the figure is over
$100,000
- Increases in premiums for 2003-04 have not been announced
- The Federal Government and other States have announced some
form of reform to help keep premiums down, including reducing
the time for allowing claims to three years for adults and six
years for children. WA is lagging behind
- Respondents to the survey deliver some 10,000 babies in WA
each year
Graph attached
- Graph showing the increase in obstetrics indemnity premiums
over the past ten years:
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