What question did this study set out to answer?

Evaluate the industry-related income of OBGYN subspecialists, analyzing payments by subspecialty.

March 23, 2026Obstetrics and Gynecology0 citations

Industry Payments to Obstetrics and Gynecology Subspecialists

RMRichard D. MeyerCedars-Sinai Medical Center GLGabriel LevinMcGill University Health Centre LBLiron Bar-ElCedars-Sinai Medical Center

Key Points

Evaluate the industry-related income of OBGYN subspecialists, analyzing payments by subspecialty.
Cross-sectional study design
Utilized general payments data from Open Payments database (2022-2024)
Compared payment characteristics by subspecialty classification
Total of 730,091 payments amounting to $88,987,936 identified
Mean cash payments: $1127.6 for generalists, $1464.6 for gynecologists, $762.2 for FPMRS (p<.001)
Most payments were made for entertainment, food, and travel, with high in-kind items proportions

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Compensation rates among obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) subspecialties differ substantially. Up to 94% of physicians report financial relationships with the medical industry, which can represent a substantial portion of their total professional income. However, there are limited data on industry-related payments specifically among OBGYN physicians. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate industry-related income of OBGYNs, stratified into generalists, gynecologists, and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) subspecialists. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study, using general payments data from the Open Payments database, from 2022 to 2024. The three study groups were identified based on taxonomy and their characteristics were compared. The primary outcome was mean payment amount in cash by subspecialty. Secondary outcomes included mean total payment amount, form, and nature of payments. RESULTS: Overall, 730, 091 payments, totaling 88, 987, 936, of which 57, 642, 472 in cash, were reported during the study period. Of these, 658, 172 (90. 1%) were made to generalists, 5. 9% to gynecologists, and 3. 9% to FPMRS subspecialists. The mean cash payment amounts were 1127. 6, 1464. 6, and 762. 2 for generalists, gynecologists, and FPMRSs (p<. 001). The mean total payment amounts were 112. 7, 220. 1, and 184. 4 for generalists, gynecologists, and FPMRSs (p<. 001). Most paid physicians were from the Southern USA region. Payments were made from device companies in 25. 9%, 30. 9%, and 67. 9%, and from drug companies in 69. 4%, 63. 8%, and 22. 2% among generalists, gynecologists, and FPMRSs, respectively (p<. 001). The majority of payments were made as in-kind items and services, constituting 93. 6%, 89. 3%, and 83. 5% among generalists, gynecologists, and FPMRS, respectively, while cash or cash equivalent constituted 6. 4%, 10. 7%, and 16. 5%, respectively (p<. 001). Payments for entertainment, food and beverage, travel, and lodging were made in 94. 8%, 91. 3%, and 93. 4% of the payments for generalists, gynecologists, and FPMRS, respectively (p<. 001). CONCLUSIONS: Among generalists, gynecologists, and FPMRS subspecialists, gynecologists received the highest industry-related cash and total earnings. While payments were mostly for drugs for generalists and gynecologists, FPMRSs mostly received payments for devices. Further research is needed to identify the causes of disparity, and their impact on subspecialists’ practice and research. Table 1Figure 1Figure 2

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