A Timely Problem: Parental Leave During Medical Training

Webb, Allison; Hasty, Brittany N.; Andolsek, Kathryn M.; Mechaber, Hilit F.; Harris, Toi Blakley; Chatterjee, Archana; Lautenberger, Diana; Gottlieb, Amy S.

doi:10.1097/acm.0000000000002733

Cited by 35 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Our results reveal variation in perceived support across programs in a single institution, similar to prior studies 17–21 . Trainees have inconsistent knowledge of parental leave policies and report frustration with conflicting messaging regarding duration of paid leave, vacation and elective eligibility, and requirements to extend training to maintain board eligibility.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

Parent‐in‐training: Resident and fellow experiences from pregnancy to parenthood

Sharp

Nicholson²,

Taft

et al. 2022

Journal of Hospital Medicine

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Background Residents and fellows with children face distinct challenges; however, knowledge of factors associated with increased parental stress is limited. Objective This study aimed to investigate experiences and concerns of physician trainees and identify factors associated with higher parental stress. Methods An anonymous survey was distributed to all resident and fellow trainees in June 2021 to assess experiences regarding parental leave, breastfeeding, and childcare. We used the Parental Stress Scale (PSS) to identify the factors associated with stress and analyzed the results using descriptive statistics, linear regression, and thematic analysis. Results Of 1719 trainees, 509 participated (62% women, 30% response rate); half were parents. One‐third of the respondents (152/470) said that childcare costs affected the number of children they plan to have; One‐third of respondents (152/470) said that childcare costs affected the number of children they plan to have; 45% (210/470) said childcare costs affected when they plan to have children. Among parents, the mean PSS score was 44.3 ± 12.3, with no significant gender differences. More women identified as primary or coprimary caregivers (97% [113/117] vs. 79% [60/76], p < .001) and anticipated training extensions due to parental leave (36% vs. 13% men, p = .009). Breastfeeding was associated with significantly higher PSS scores (p = .017). Twenty‐four percent of breastfeeding parents (22/93) felt that their program/institution did not support their breastfeeding goals; lack of perceived support was associated with significantly higher PSS scores (63.6 ± 13.1 vs. 38.6 ± 8.7, p < .001). Trainees experiencing unreliable childcare had significantly higher PSS scores (p = .005). Forty percent (64/159) changed their career plans after becoming parents. Conclusions Physician trainee parents experience high stress, with women bearing disproportionate burdens in the domains of parental leave and breastfeeding. These results should inform policies promoting trainee wellness and gender equity.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

Parent‐in‐training: Resident and fellow experiences from pregnancy to parenthood

Sharp

Nicholson²,

Taft

et al. 2022

Journal of Hospital Medicine

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“…6 Prior research has demonstrated many residency programs and institutions fail to provide comprehensive family leave to trainees or faculty. 11 However, to our knowledge, this is the first major review of current family leave policies for medical students studying in the United States and its territories.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current Parental Leave Policies for Medical Students at U.S. Medical Schools: A Comparative Study

et al. 2021

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Purpose Parental leave for new parents is essential as they adjust to the physical and psychological changes that accompany childbirth and caring for a newborn. This study sought to determine the current state of parental leave policies for medical students at medical schools in the United States. Method From November to December 2019, 2 researchers independently reviewed the websites of 199 U.S. MD-granting and DO-granting medical schools (including in U.S. territories). Online student handbooks and school webpages were searched for the following keywords: “pregnant” OR “pregnancy” OR “maternity” OR “parent” OR “family” OR “child” OR “birth.” Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Fisher’s exact tests evaluated differences in proportion by group. Results Of 199 schools, 65 (32.66%) had parental leave policies available online or in the handbook: 39 of 155 (25.16%) MD-granting and 26 of 44 (59.09%) DO-granting schools. Of those policies, 59 (90.77%) were included in the student handbook. Most policies (28, 43.08%) were included as an option within the school’s general leave of absence policy. Both parents were included in 38 (58.46%) policies; 23 (35.38%) policies mentioned only mothers; and 4 (6.15%) were unknown. An option to maintain original graduation date was offered in 21 (32.1%) schools’ policies. Three schools (4.62%) included adoption as qualifying for parental leave. When comparing MD and DO programs, DO programs were statistically more likely to have a parental leave policy: 39 (25.16%) vs 26 (59.09%); P < .001. Conclusions Balancing medical school with pregnancy and childbirth necessitates administrative support to address the inherent scheduling challenges. Currently, many schools lack parental leave policies for medical students that are easily accessible, are separate from formal leaves of absence, allow for at least 12 weeks, and are tailored to the student academic year to ensure on-time completion of medical education.

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“…Recently, an article with a description of parental leave policies during medical training was published and included a call to action in the medical profession (21). The results from this study and prior related work (7,8) support the need for similar recommendations in the veterinary profession and indicate that veterinarians want changes.…”

mentioning

confidence: 53%

Perceptions of Maternal Discrimination and Pregnancy/Postpartum Experiences Among Veterinary Mothers

2020

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Objective: To describe perceptions of maternal discrimination and to begin to understand patterns around timing of starting families, infertility, and post-partum depression among veterinary mothers. Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions posted to a social media platform "Moms with a DVM." Sample: 1,082 veterinary mothers in the United States. Procedures: An online questionnaire was administered regarding perceived discrimination, inequities in the workplace due to pregnant or maternal status, desired accommodations, timing of pregnancy(ies), fertility issues, and postpartum experiences. Results: At least one form of perceived discrimination was reported by 819 (75.7%) respondents (M = 2.6, SD = 2.1, range 0-10). Specifically, 789 (72.9%) reported maternal discrimination. Over half of the sample (n = 632, 58.4%) reported at least one instance of perceived inequity in the workplace due to status as a mother (M = 1.23, SD = 1.4, range 0-5). A majority (906, 83.7%) reported that their career had "definitely" or "maybe" affected the timing of their children. One hundred eighty-nine respondents (17.5%) experienced at least one miscarriage, and 192 (17.6%) used fertility treatment due to difficulty conceiving. Postpartum depression was diagnosed in 181 respondents (16.7%), and 353 (32.6%) reported symptoms consistent with postpartum depression but did not seek medical care. Of 953 participants who needed accommodations for breastfeeding and/or pumping while at work, 130 (13.6%) reported excellent accommodations, 454 (47.6%) adequate, 258 (27.1%) inadequate, and 111 (11.6%) had no accommodations provided. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Participants reported experiences of perceived maternal discrimination, as well as inequities and lack of support services due to status as a mother. These results highlight the need for attention and changes to ensure veterinarians have supportive and sustainable career options.

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A Timely Problem: Parental Leave During Medical Training

Cited by 35 publications

References 13 publications

Parent‐in‐training: Resident and fellow experiences from pregnancy to parenthood

Parent‐in‐training: Resident and fellow experiences from pregnancy to parenthood

Current Parental Leave Policies for Medical Students at U.S. Medical Schools: A Comparative Study

Perceptions of Maternal Discrimination and Pregnancy/Postpartum Experiences Among Veterinary Mothers

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