From the Guidelines
The patient population of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) includes women of reproductive age, particularly those who are pregnant or postpartum, as well as those with gynecologic conditions.
Patient Characteristics
- Age: The patient population includes women of reproductive age, with a focus on those who are pregnant or postpartum, typically between 25-44 years old 1.
- Pregnancy status: Women who are pregnant, including those with low-risk and high-risk pregnancies, as well as those with underlying health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease 1.
- Gynecologic conditions: Women with gynecologic conditions, such as those requiring preconception care, postpartum care, and social and mental health services 1.
Healthcare Needs
- Prenatal care: Women who are pregnant require regular prenatal care, including prenatal appointments, Rh testing, and genetic screening 1.
- Gynecologic care: Women with gynecologic conditions require care and treatment for their specific conditions, including hormonal therapies, surgical interventions, and counseling.
- Preventive care: Women of reproductive age require preventive care, including contraception, STI screening, and cervical cancer screening. The patient population of OBGYN is diverse and requires individualized care, taking into account their unique healthcare needs and circumstances 1.
From the Research
Patient Population of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
The patient population of OBGYN primarily consists of adult females, with the US adult female population expected to increase by more than 20% by 2045 2. This increase in population represents a key driver for increased demand for health care services.
Demographics of OBGYN Patients
Studies have shown that the majority of female patients prefer a female OBGYN, with 66% of respondents in one study preferring a female provider 3. However, when compared to other qualities such as experience, knowledge, and reputation, gender is deemed less important 3. Another study found that 66.6% of patients had no gender bias when selecting an obstetrician-gynecologist, and 80.8% felt that physician gender does not influence quality of care 4.
Characteristics of OBGYN Patients
Female patients who identify as single, under 45 years of age, and nulliparous are more likely to prefer a female OBGYN 3. The majority of women reported a female preference when selecting an OBGYN, but this preference is not the primary factor in selecting a provider 3, 4.
Healthcare Providers in OBGYN
The number of obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) is expected to decrease, while the number of advanced practice providers, such as physician associates (PAs), is growing 2, 5. As of 2021, there were 1,322 Ob-Gyn PAs in the US, with a median age of 38 and 98.0% being female 5. The practice setting for Ob-Gyn PAs is primarily in office and hospital employment, with a median annual income of $105,000 5.