Malpractice crisis blamed for Match Day results: lowest fill rate for U.S. seniors in 5 years. (ACOG 'Concerned).

The medical malpractice crisis is a likely cause for the slight downturn in this year's Match Day results for obstetrics-gynecology.

Ob.gyn. residency programs in 2003 offered 1,151 positions--13 more than last year--but filled only 1,050 positions, 17 less than last year, according to statistics released by the National Resident Matching Program.

The profession also experienced its lowest fill rate for U.S. seniors in 5 years, dropping from 80% in 1999 to 68% in 2003. Only 786 U.S. seniors matched with ob.gyn. positions this year, 62 fewer than in 2002, and 48 fewer than in 2001.

"We do believe the professional liability crisis has something to do with it," Dr. Thomas Purdon, immediate past president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, told this newspaper. "We are concerned about this."

ACOG has been worried about a potential downturn in the match for several years, he said. These worries were validated at a retreat Dr. Purdon attended last summer. Medical students who attended the retreat listed professional liability as a top concern for entering the ob.gyn. field, second only to lifestyle concerns.

If ob.gyn. residencies fail to attract new people into the profession, "there's the potential for a disastrous situation 5-10 years down the road," Dr. Purdon explained.

ACOG a year ago highlighted the national medical liability crisis by issuing a "Red Alert" system that identifies states where obstetrical care is the most in jeopardy.