BACKGROUND: Physicians must balance career and home responsibilities, yet previous studies on work-life balance are focused primarily on work-based tasks. We examined gender discrepancies and factors related to household responsibilities and work-life balance among pediatricians. METHODS: We used 2015 data from the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatrician Life and Career Experience Study, a longitudinal study of early-career pediatricians. x 2 tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine the effects of gender on household responsibilities, satisfaction, and work-life balance attainment. We formally reviewed responses from 2 open-ended questions on work-life balance challenges and strategies for common themes. RESULTS: Seventy-two percent of participants completed the survey (1293 of 1801). Women were more likely than men to report having primary responsibility for 13 of 16 household responsibilities, such as cleaning, cooking, and routine care of children (all P , .001). All gender differences except budget management remained significant when controlling for parttime work status and spouse or partner work status (P , .05). Women were less satisfied with their share of responsibilities relative to others (52% vs 62%; P , .001), and few women and men report being very successful at achieving balance between their job and other life areas (15% vs 19%, respectively; P = .05). Open-ended responses (n = 1145) revealed many barriers to achieving work-life balance. Strategies to increase work-life balance included reducing work hours, outsourcing household-related work, and adjustments to personal responsibilities and relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Female pediatricians spend more time on household responsibilities than male pediatricians, and gender is a key factor associated with work-life balance satisfaction. WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Previous research has revealed that women perform the majority of household labor, yet the extent to which this discrepancy exists for pediatricians is unknown. Work-life conflicts are known to be associated with negative consequences, including professional burnout and career dissatisfaction. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: Early-and mid-career female pediatricians spend more time on household responsibilities than male pediatricians, regardless of the intensity of work commitments, and gender is a key factor associated with work-life balance satisfaction.

Prognostic/epidemiologic study, level IV.

Objectives To examine pediatricians' perspectives on administrative tasks including electronic health record (EHR) documentation burden and their effect on work–life balance and life and career satisfaction. Methods We analyzed 2018 survey data from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Pediatrician Life and Career Experience Study (PLACES), a longitudinal cohort study of early and midcareer pediatricians. Cohorts graduated from residency between 2002 and 2004 or 2009 and 2011. Participants were randomly selected from an AAP database (included all pediatricians who completed U.S. pediatric residency programs). Four in 10 pediatricians (1,796 out of 4,677) were enrolled in PLACES in 2012 and considered participants in 2018. Data were weighted to adjust for differences between study participants and the overall population of pediatricians. Chi-square and multivariable logistic regression examined the association of EHR burden on work–life balance (three measures) and satisfaction with work, career, and life (three measures). Responses to an open-ended question on experiences with administrative tasks were reviewed. Results A total of 66% of pediatrician participants completed the 2018 surveys (1,192 of 1,796; analytic sample = 1,069). Three-fourths reported EHR documentation as a major or moderate burden. Half reported such burden for billing and insurance and 42.7% for quality and performance measurement. Most pediatricians reported satisfaction with their jobs (86.7%), careers (84.5%), and lives (66.2%). Many reported work–life balance challenges (52.5% reported stress balancing work and personal responsibilities). In multivariable analysis, higher reported EHR burden was associated with lower scores on career and life satisfaction measures and on all three measures of work–life balance. Open-ended responses (n = 467) revealed several themes. Two predominant themes especially supported the quantitative findings—poor EHR functionality and lack of support for administrative burdens. Conclusion Most early to midcareer pediatricians experience administrative burdens with EHRs. These experiences are associated with worse work–life balance including more stress in balancing responsibilities and less career and life satisfaction.

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