FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Statement attributable to:
John Cullen, MD
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
“The increasing rate of maternal mortality in the U.S. is an important public health issue that must be addressed. In the November issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, our colleagues at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have posited several recommendations on how hospitals, physicians, and other clinicians might begin to act to combat this growing concern.
“We applaud this effort by our colleagues to make a meaningful impact on maternal mortality and morbidity, and we are generally supportive of their efforts and the four-step approach outlined in the article ‘What We Can Do about Maternal Mortality—And How to Do it Quickly.’ However, regarding the fourth point, we would encourage the authors to ensure an equal focus on improving care at all levels and in all hospitals, as well as relying on transfer as appropriate. It’s vitally important to create an environment that will help rural hospitals care for women who want to remain in their communities and to handle inevitable obstetrical emergencies.
“Among their recommendations, the authors suggest that ACOG and the American Academy of Family Physicians collaborate ‘on an additional year of comprehensive training for family medicine physicians who are considering practicing obstetrics in rural areas.’ The article rightly points out family physicians regularly provide maternity care to pregnant women and their families, especially in rural areas.
“It’s important to note the current education and training requirements for family physicians prepares them to provide obstetrical care to their patients. During their three-year family medicine residency, family physicians receive training and demonstrate the skills and competencies required to deliver high-quality maternity care in any community, including those in rural settings.
“The AAFP very much looks forward to collaborating with ACOG to encourage growth in the physician workforce for our rural communities—among both obstetricians and family physicians who provide obstetrical care—in whatever form that collaboration may take.”
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Dr. Cullen, contact Leslie Champlin, (800) 274-2237, Ext. 6252, or lchampli@aafp.org.
# # #
About American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits — that’s 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine and the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.