Number of obstetricians

In the last decade, the number of obstetricians in the Netherlands rose by 60%. Particularly the number of obstetricians in hospitals showed an increase. There are considerable regional differences though. In the past decade, due to a shortage of obstetricians, the training capacity was strongly increased resulting in a considerable increase in the number of obstetricians. In 2009, a total of 2,444 obstetricians are working in the Netherlands. The majority thereof (77%) work in first line care, 23% work in a hospital. During the past decade, the number of obstetricians working in hospital rose more (150%) than the number of obstetricians working in first line care (45%).

The number of obstetricians practicing in the Netherlands
Each year, the NIVEL (Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research), carries out a survey among all obstetricians working in the Netherlands. A summary of the 2009 NIVEL Registration of Obstetricians survey is listed below.

Summary of the 2009 NIVEL survey
The figures below relate to 1 January 2009 (unless stated otherwise):

• A total of 2,444 obstetricians (including observers) are working in the Netherlands; 2% of them are male. The majority thereof (77%) works in first line care, 23% works in a hospital. During the past decade, the number of obstetricians working in a hospital rose more (150%) than the number of obstetricians working in first line care (45%).
• The majority (55%) of obstetricians work in a private practice/partnership. Around 23% is based in a clinic.
• In 2008, 80 obstetricians started working in a private practice/partnership with 22 taking up paid employment in health centres, STBN or comparable institution/foundation; 98 obstetricians discontinued the practice. In 2008, the number of independently practicing obstetricians rose by 4.
• Of those starting to practice in 2008, 68% started in a group practice.
• A total of 62% of obstetricians are younger than 40 and 7% is 55 or older.
• A total of 5% of obstetricians are working in first line care work in a solo practice, 14% in a duo practice. Of the obstetricians working in group practices (81%), 30% work in a practice of three, 31% in a practice of four and 39% in a practice of five or more obstetricians.
• A total of 53% of the obstetrician works part-time. Each week, independently practising obstetricians spend approx. 10 hours in consultations and 59 hours in availability duties.
• The Netherlands has 503 obstetric practices. In the past decade, this number rose by 10%. A total of 16% thereof are solo practices, 22% duo practices and 62% group practices. Ten years ago half were group practices. During that period, the number of solo practices fell from 22% in 1999 to 16% in 2009, The provinces of Drenthe (36%) and Limburg (31%) have relatively the most solo practices.
• The number of women in the 15 to 39 age group (the fertile period) per first line obstetrician is 1,630. Ten years ago this number was considerably higher (2,684). There are still considerable differences per region. Density is lowest in the rural areas (2,097), particularly so in the provinces of Zeeland (2,483) and Groningen (2,122). In the provinces of Flevoland (1,297) and Gelderland (1,437) 'obstetrician density' is highest.
• In 2008, 135 obstetricians completed their education, with 15 awarded equal status.
• Of those who graduated in 2008, 90% work as obstetricians; 10% work in a private practice/partnership.
• A total of 127 graduated obstetricians are looking for a (different) job within obstetrics. A total of 71% thereof wants to start practicing independently; 7% wants to work as observers.

Each year, the NIVEL issues the brochure 'Figures from the Registration of Obstetricians'. This brochure can be downloaded from the NIVEL website.

On the website of Perinatal Registration Netherlands you can request information about the care provided by obstetricians, general practitioners active as obstetricians, gynaecologists and paediatricians.