The influence of obstetric no-fault compensation act on future career of residents in obstetrics and gynecology.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The number of resident applicants in obstetrics and gynecology in South Korea is decreasing every year. Recently, the government legislated for obstetric no-fault compensation act which obligated obstetrics and gynecology doctors to pay for 50% of the budget to compensate for the unfavorable delivery outcome that the medical provider is not responsible for. The act was faced with obstetrics and gynecology doctors' and in-trainees' resentment for putting unfair financial burden on the shoulders of the medical providers and hospitals in the absence of malpractice. In light of this, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the obstetric no-fault compensation act on the future career of obstetrics and gynecology residents as obstetricians. METHODS: We conducted a survey of 4th grade obstetrics and gynecology residents (n=59) on influence of the obstetric no-fault compensation act on the future career as obstetricians through questionnaire. RESULTS: The result from this survey showed that this act has driven the residents away from providing obstetrical care in the future which will inevitably lead to lack of delivery service in the rural areas. CONCLUSION: We do conclude that the enforcement ordinance of the obstetric no-fault compensation act should be revised.