In for the long haul. Which family physicians plan to continue delivering babies?

OBJECTIVE To compare characteristics of family physicians planning to discontinue or stay in intrapartum care.

DESIGN Self-administered questionnaire.

SETTING Department of Family Practice at Children's and Women's Health Centre of British Columbia.

PARTICIPANTS Ninety-five family physicians who attended at least one birth at the Health Centre between April 1997 and August 1998.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Intention to leave or stay in family practice maternity care, physician characteristics and beliefs.

RESULTS Forty-five percent (43/95) of family physicians planned to leave maternity care within the next 5 years. Physicians planning to leave had more negative attitudes about the alternative birthing centre, doulas, and practising in free-standing settings without on-site obstetricians; were more likely to report missing personal events because they had put their maternity patients first; were less likely to make housecalls during women's labour; and were more likely to be paid through fee-for-service.

CONCLUSION Being paid by fee-for-service, having negative attitudes toward non-traditional maternity care, and conflict between maternity care and personal life were associated with intention to leave intrapartum care.