U.S. Gynecology, Clinician Survey

Although technically a medical specialty, gynecology encompasses a wide variety of medical concerns, conditions, and procedures. Some aspects of the typical gynecological practice approach the broad scope of primary care (many women consider their gynecologists to be their primary care physicians), whereas other components provide the vertical depth of a
specialty with the prospect of expanding interventional caseloads. Due to the scope of services and large number of practitioners, gynecologists represent an attractive target for medical companies; however, marketing to this complicated specialty can be frustrating because gynecologists are not compelled to provide the full scope of available services and
products. Thus, manufacturers of urological products may not find the majority of gynecologists immediately receptive to their technologies, just as most gynecologists have resisted offering in-house bone densitometry to aging patients.

This survey was designed to characterize current gynecologic practices and assess trends in service offerings, especially with respect to menorrhagia management, female urology, and osteoporosis management. The investigation includes information on technological trends most impacting the practices, and clinicians’ current and anticipated familiarity with many emerging products and technologies. In addition, the survey sought to assess clinicians’ familiarity with medical product companies, including their opinions of those interactions.

Following is a summary of the key survey results, organized according to the five sections of the report: respondent background, trends in menorrhagia management, trends in urogynecology, trends in osteoporosis diagnosis and management, and general issues.