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Factors influencing the practice of gynecology in general medicine:quantitative study of general practitioners practicing in the XXXX region

Didier THERY, Laure JOLY and Camille DE LAPEYRIERE

Context and objectives: In France, the number of practicing gynecologists is declining.Midwives and general practitioners are authorized to provide gynecological care, but this remains uncommon among them, leading to delays and gaps in care. Midwives and general practitioners are authorized to provide gynecological care,but this is rarely practiced by the latter, leading to delays andgaps in patient care. The objective of this study was toevaluate the gynecological practice of general practitioners working in the PACA regionand to identify the factors that may influence it.The objective of this study was toevaluate the gynecological practice of general practitioners working in the PACA regionand to identify the factors that may influence it.Materials and methods: Quantitative, observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire.Results: The majority of respondents performed routine procedures such as HPV vaccination, prescribing contraception, and STI testing, while technical contraceptive procedures (insertion/removal of IUDs or implants) and cervical cancer screeningwere less commonly performed. For obstetric care, while initial pregnancy checkupswere often prescribed, few provided follow-up care until the seventh month. Femalegeneral practitioners who considered their initial training to be sufficient or who hadundergone additional training were more involved in gynecological and obstetric care.The main barriers identified were lack of The main obstacles identified were the lack of routine practice, the proximity of specialists, and lack of time. Conversely,recognition of the role of the general practitioner, personal conviction or interest, and the desire to diversify the patient base encouraged gynecological practice.Discussion: Better informing patients, promoting gynecological procedures, strengthening perinatal networks, raising awareness among male physicians, adapting initial training to private practice, and delegating certain tasks could encourage general practitioners to become more involved in gynecological practice.Conclusion: Our results are consistent with studies conducted in other regions and shed light on the factors influencing the practice of gynecology by general practitioners in the PACA region, enabling us to propose strategies for improving gynecological care in general medicine.