BAKERSFIELD,CA- OB/GYNs in Kern County have more patients to see and less time to see them. As a result, patients are on long waiting lists to see a doctor.
Katie Yam called doctors around town as soon as she found out she was pregnant, but the few she called were booked.
"It was over a month. One of them over a month and one of them was about a month's time. So I was like no this cannot be. I need to get in right away," said Yam.
Such a long delay increased the new mom's worry about her and her baby's health.
"It's very frustrating not getting in to a doctor with the stress of being pregnant as well," said Yam. "It's not healthy for a pregnant mom to have to go through." She eventually was referred to Dr. Tony Hoang who says there just aren't enough OBGYNs in town.
"We are seeing a huge influx of OB/GYN patients primarily because we're seeing that a number of physicians are starting to retire here in Bakersfield," said Dr. Hoang. "Over the past 3 to 5 years several OB/GYNs have already retired."
Dr. Hoang estimates there are 50 OB/GYNs in Kern County. About 20 are above age 55 and close to retirement he says. So he believes there will be a huge shortage in Kern county in the next five years.
"A lot of new OB patients or pregnant patients come in and they are not seen until at least twelve weeks pregnant because they couldn't get in soon enough. And I think that's the most important part of a lady's pregnancy is the first trimester...we need to see those patients early on."
Many OB/GYNs come to Bakersfield through the only OB/GYN residency program in town at Kern Medical Center.
The Program Director Dr. Antonio Garcia agrees there could be a major shortage in the future if more doctors don't stay in the area. His program graduates three doctors a year and on average only one stays in Kern County.
Garcia says there are two reasons doctors don't stay: first, some want to return home; second, new doctors typically want to join a group practice like San Dimas Medical Group or Kaiser Permanente and open positions aren't always available each year.
If you are in need of an OB/GYN, Dr. Hoang suggests calling or emailing a doctor directly and explaining your situation. You can also ask a physician you trust to refer you to an OB.
Katie Yam called doctors around town as soon as she found out she was pregnant, but the few she called were booked.
"It was over a month. One of them over a month and one of them was about a month's time. So I was like no this cannot be. I need to get in right away," said Yam.
Such a long delay increased the new mom's worry about her and her baby's health.
"It's very frustrating not getting in to a doctor with the stress of being pregnant as well," said Yam. "It's not healthy for a pregnant mom to have to go through." She eventually was referred to Dr. Tony Hoang who says there just aren't enough OBGYNs in town.
"We are seeing a huge influx of OB/GYN patients primarily because we're seeing that a number of physicians are starting to retire here in Bakersfield," said Dr. Hoang. "Over the past 3 to 5 years several OB/GYNs have already retired."
Dr. Hoang estimates there are 50 OB/GYNs in Kern County. About 20 are above age 55 and close to retirement he says. So he believes there will be a huge shortage in Kern county in the next five years.
"A lot of new OB patients or pregnant patients come in and they are not seen until at least twelve weeks pregnant because they couldn't get in soon enough. And I think that's the most important part of a lady's pregnancy is the first trimester...we need to see those patients early on."
Many OB/GYNs come to Bakersfield through the only OB/GYN residency program in town at Kern Medical Center.
The Program Director Dr. Antonio Garcia agrees there could be a major shortage in the future if more doctors don't stay in the area. His program graduates three doctors a year and on average only one stays in Kern County.
Garcia says there are two reasons doctors don't stay: first, some want to return home; second, new doctors typically want to join a group practice like San Dimas Medical Group or Kaiser Permanente and open positions aren't always available each year.
If you are in need of an OB/GYN, Dr. Hoang suggests calling or emailing a doctor directly and explaining your situation. You can also ask a physician you trust to refer you to an OB.