Medical Students Plan To Leave Florida To Practice Ob/Gyn

Bob Carroll

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Question of the week: Why should any state money be spent on the education or training of ob/gyn doctors in Florida if 86% are considering leaving the state to practice medicine?

It might be cheaper for Florida, as an inducement to practice in this "judicial hell hole," to pay a portion of the eventual malpractice premiums of medical students in other states who will be practicing in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Florida Medical Students May Be Deterred From Entering Obstetrics And Gynecology Due To Malpractice Concerns

The medical malpractice climate in Florida is discouraging medical students from pursuing careers in obstetrics and gynecology - a trend that could further reduce patients' access to obstetric care, a survey by the University of South Florida College of Medicine found.

Half of the Florida students surveyed - 42 percent men and 58 percent women - responded. The respondents were divided into three groups - students who selected ob/gyn as a career (had applied to ob/gyn residencies); those who considered ob/gyn as a career but ultimately decided against it; and those who never considered ob/gyn. Of the students selecting a career in ob/gyn, 86 percent reported they are considering leaving Florida to practice because of the medical liability concerns.

The USF authors acknowledge that students who felt strongly about Florida's malpractice climate may have been more inclined to respond to the survey, and cite the need for more national research to clarify future practitioners' concerns.

Second Question of the week: Was the survey titled, "The Impact Of High Medical Malpractice Premiums Upon Your Future Practice Plans"?