Is the obstetrician-gynecologist a specialist or primary physician to women?

In an attempt to answer the question, "Is the practicing obstetrician-gynecologist a specialist or a primary physician to women?" 1,008 patients of 51 Michigan obstetrician-gynecologists were asked a series of questions concerning their health care. Forty-four per cent have no primary-care physician and 86 per cent see only their obstetrician-gynecologists for regular periodic examinations. Forty-one per cent reported that their obstetrician-gynecologists either had treated them for nongynecologic conditions or had decided that no treatment was necessary. The training and practice of obstetrician-gynecologists must be altered in view of the role they are assuming--that of primary physician to women.