Qualifications of Physicians Performing Hysterectomy: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether physicians performing hysterectomy on participants of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) are adequately trained to perform this procedure. A multicenter longitudinal study of 3302 women aged 42 to 52 was conducted over 9 years of follow-up. Of the 238 women reporting hysterectomy within the United States, 165 were verified via medical record review. Information regarding training background and board certification status of the physicians performing these hysterectomies was obtained from the American Board of Medical Specialists. Complications of hysterectomy were abstracted from patients' medical records. Of the 165 physicians, 163 (98.8%) obtained board certification and 139 (84.2%) obtained their medical degrees in the United States. Ninety-eight percent of the physicians completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology. Intra- and postoperative complications were exceedingly low. Physicians performing hysterectomies on participants of SWAN appear adequately trained to carry out this commonly performed procedure.