Maternal–Fetal Medicine Physician and Fellow Perceptions of Business in Medicine

Abstract

Objective Principles of practice management provide a foundation for clinical success and performance improvement. Scant data exist regarding maternal–fetal medicine (MFM) physicians' knowledge of these topics. We hypothesize that physicians enter practice with inadequate education in practice management.

Study Design Surveys were emailed to members of the Society for Maternal–Fetal Medicine rating their knowledge and capabilities in practice management topics, and respondents assessed their current institution's business in the medical curriculum.

Results A total of 325 (14.4%) physicians responded: 63 fellows in training and 262 MFM physician subspecialists. Practicing physicians reported learning most of their knowledge “in practice after fellowship” (85%) or “never at all” (10%). Only 3% of respondents had adequate business education during fellowship, and only 5% felt prepared to teach business principles. However, 85% of those surveyed agreed that this material should be taught during the fellowship. Among MFM subspecialists and fellows in training at institutions with fellowships, 60% reported no current curriculum for practice management, and those with current curricula reported it had “limited” or “no value” (76%).

Conclusion There is a significant desire for practice management curricula during MFM fellowship, and current training is insufficient. With many MFM physicians ill-prepared to teach these principles, professional education from other financial fields, and standardized education in practice management from current expert sources is needed.

Keywords

maternal–fetal medicine - practice management - business - education - fellows

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