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Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics

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01-05-2021 | Maternal-Fetal Medicine

The effect of medical and social conditions on the mode of delivery: a prospective questionnaire-based study applied to 404 Turkish obstetricians

Authors: Funda Akpinar, Fatih Kiliç, Neslihan Öztürk, Bora Coşkun, Mustafa Akşar, Salim Erkaya

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 5/2021

Abstract

Purpose

To identify the factors that influence provider’s decisions on method of delivery in a country where national cesarean delivery rate (CDR) among all births increased steadily from 21 to 56% in a 16-year period.

Methods

We planned nine birth scenarios, in which both delivery modes were plausible, and we used self-administered questionnaire to ask obstetricians for their preferred mode of delivery in these scenarios. If the choice was cesarean delivery (CD), the provider was asked to state the reason for choosing this method. We grouped respondents according to number of years in their occupation, working sector (state, university or private hospital) and academic degree.

Results

Four hundred and four obstetricians completed the questionnaire. Preference for CD in all scenarios was comparable between male and female obstetricians (p = 0.334) and between specialists, associate professors and professors (p = 0.812). The most frequent reason for choice of CD in all nine scenarios was fear of fetal risk and/or fear of litigation.

Conclusion

Fear of litigation was found to be the major factor influencing CD choice. This fear not only increases the CDR but also results in loss of training in breech delivery and operative vaginal delivery, forming a vicious cycle.

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Title: The effect of medical and social conditions on the mode of delivery: a prospective questionnaire-based study applied to 404 Turkish obstetricians
Authors: Funda Akpinar
Fatih Kiliç
Neslihan Öztürk
Bora Coşkun
Mustafa Akşar
Salim Erkaya
Publication date: 01-05-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 5/2021
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-020-05842-6

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

The effect of medical and social conditions on the mode of delivery: a prospective questionnaire-based study applied to 404 Turkish obstetricians

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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