ArticleObstetrics & gynecology science2021
After 20 years of low fertility, where are the obstetrician-gynecologists?
Article in Obstetrics & gynecology science, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers.
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Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed.
- Maternal morbidity and cumulative infant mortality among women with disabilities: a nationwide population-based study in Korea, 2013-2022.Obstetrics & gynecology science · 2026Article
- The Impact of Sociodemographic Factors on Job Insecurity Among Obstetric Nurses Under the Low Fertility Background: A Linear Mixed-Effects Model Analysis and Targeted Intervention Strategies.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2026Article
- Supply-Side Impact of Supporting Obstetrically Underserved Areas: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of Korean medical science · 2025Article
- Journey of infertile couples: scoping the barriers for infertility care among infertile women in Morocco.Obstetrics & gynecology science · 2025Article
- Does the reduction in obstetric hospitals result in an unintended decreased in-hospital delivery utilisation? A causal multilevel analysis in China.BMJ public health · 2025Article
- Assessing maternity care access: impacts on cesarean sections and dystocia.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2024Article
- A Maternity Waiting Home Is an Alternative Approach for the Accessibility of Pregnant Women in an Obstetrically Underserved Area of Korea.Journal of Korean medical science · 2023Article
- Healthcare Policy Agenda for a Sustainable Healthcare System in Korea: Building Consensus Using the Delphi Method.Journal of Korean medical science · 2022Article
- The causal effect of delivery volume on severe maternal morbidity: an instrumental variable analysis in Sichuan, China.BMJ global health · 2022Article
- Environmental factors in declining human fertility.Nature reviews. Endocrinology · 2022Review
- Demand and Requirements for a Digital Healthcare System to Manage Gestational Diabetes in Patients and Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-sectional Survey.Inquiry : a journal of medical care organization, provision and financingArticle
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
Korea has entered a stage of low fertility, with a total fertility rate of 1.178 in 2002 and 0.92 in 2019. The low birth rate has led to the closure of obstetric hospitals and clinics from 1,371 maternity health facilities in 2003 to 541 in 2019, which is 39.5% compared to 2003. Since 2011, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has been operating an "Obstetrically Underserved Areas Support Project," however, a shortage of obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) who can participate in labor and delivery is a major problem. In 2019, there were 5,800 OB/GYNs practicing. Of these, 4,225 (72.8%) were working in obstetrics-gynecology hospitals, each responsible for 2,855 fertile women. Their average age was 51.8 years. A total of 2,659 (45.9%) worked in clinics and 3,110 (73.6%) were working in metropolitan districts. Only 124 OB/GYNs (2.9%) worked in vulnerable rural areas. OB/GYNs working in obstetric hospitals were responsible for 113.8 newborns in 2019. Their average age was 50.1 years. Of them, 67.4% were working in hospitals, 74.1% in urban areas, and only 60 specialists (2.3%) were working in rural areas. To establish a safe childbirth environment during an era of low fertility, it is important to have obstetricians in charge of childbirth. The government should establish a comprehensive long-term plan to resolve the shortage of OB/GYNs.
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