Obstetrics being dropped due to malpractice costs: in one survey, 56% ponder relocating. (Results of Two Surveys).

The malpractice crisis is causing many ob.gyns. to drop obstetrics from their practices, according to two recent surveys.

The most recent numbers come from Merritt, Hawkins, & Associates, an Irving, Tex.-based physician-recruiting firm. Merritt Hawkins sent surveys to 4,000 ob.gyns. in 12 states that have been identified by the American Medical Association as being in a "malpractice crisis" due to sharply rising premiums: West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.

Of the 268 physicians who responded, 95% said they were experiencing rising malpractice premiums, and 56% said the increases were forcing them to consider relocating to another state. Of those considering relocating, 59% were already actively taking steps to do so by researching practice opportunities, talking to potential employers, or taking other measures.

The survey also found that 39% of respondents were discontinuing their obstetrics practices.

These data are in agreement with what the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists found in its own survey of 28,000 members nationwide over the summer according to ACOG officials. That survey which included more than 6,500 responses from members in 11 "crisis" states, also asked ob.gyns. what measures they had taken as a result of the malpractice crisis. In those 11 states, 984 of the 6,560 respondents indicated they had stopped practicing obstetrics due to medical liability insurance availability and affordability issues. The highest percentage was in Nevada, where nearly 20% had stopped doing obstetrics; the lowest was Texas, at 10%.