Maternity deserts aren’t accidents. They’re the result of a design flaw
Clinical Scorecard: Maternity Care Shortages: A Consequence of Systemic Design Flaws
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Maternity Care Shortages Key Mechanisms Misalignment between physician training locations and community needs, financial barriers, and malpractice risks. Target Population Pregnant women, particularly in rural areas and underserved communities. Care Setting Rural healthcare environments lacking adequate obstetric services.
Key Highlights
Over half of South Dakota's counties are maternity care deserts. Nearly half of U.S. counties lack a practicing obstetrician or gynecologist. Women in rural areas face higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. The absence of local training programs perpetuates physician shortages. Federal funding for residency positions needs to address geographic and specialty shortages. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Identify areas classified as maternity care deserts. Management
Expand obstetrics and gynecology training slots in rural areas. Monitoring & Follow-up
Track maternal morbidity and mortality rates in underserved communities. Risks
Address financial burdens related to malpractice insurance for small hospitals. Patient & Prescribing Data
Pregnant women in rural and underserved areas.
Long-term commitment incentives and stable financial support are necessary for physicians.
Clinical Best Practices
Develop regional, distributed residency models linking hospitals across state lines. Implement loan repayment programs and rural subsidies for physicians. Consider malpractice caps to support obstetric services in small hospitals. Related Resources & Content
