Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Physician Moms

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluates the personal and professional experiences of physician mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the pandemic on the lives of physician mothers. Methods: Using social media to reach a broad range of physicians, a convenience sample of physician mothers completed on-line survey posted between April 27-May 11. Members were encouraged to repost on social media and share with personal contacts resulting in a passive snowball sampling effect. Results: A total of 2709 physician mothers from 48 states, Puerto Rico and 19 countries representing more than 25 medical specialties completed the survey. Most were between 30-39 years of age, 67% self-identified as white, 17% as Asian, 4% as African American. Most had been working for 11-16 years. 91% had a spouse/partner of the opposite sex. Over half were practicing in an area they identified as high COVID19 density while 50% had personally cared for a person with COVID19. Physician mothers were most concerned about exposing their children to COVID19 and about the morale and safety of their staff. Conclusions: This is one of the first studies to explore the personal and professional challenges facing physician mothers during a pandemic. Physician mothers were most concerned about exposing their families to COVID-19. Mothers continued to work and at times increased their work despite having domestic, childcare and schooling responsibilities.

Oncology Healthcare Professionals’ Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Finally, related to the point above, our review revealed that almost no studies we found in our review looked at gender or childcare responsibilities as a factor in the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of oncology HCPs. This is a remarkable oversight as it has been robustly documented that the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on working mothers, including in medicine [ 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 ]. For example, one study that looked at the impact of the pandemic on male and female oncologists found that in a sample of 541 oncologists, females were much more likely to report that the pandemic affected their professional career in a negative way (85%) when compared to males being asked the same question (76%).…”

Midcareer Medical School Research Faculty Perspectives on Vitality and Professionalism During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…While a commitment to professionalism was widely expressed by respondents, commentary on gender inequity did surface, reflecting published evidence of the disproportionate adverse effect of the pandemic on women faculty. 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 …”

Effect of Coronavirus Disease-2019 on the Workload of Neonatologists

“…Additionally, parents have faced extra challenges with often inadequate workplace and domestic support ( 4 , 8 ). Women and parent physicians disproportionately have shouldered increased burdens and anxiety associated with domestic duties, restrictions in childcare access, homeschooling, and higher productivity expectations given a perceived increase in available time during lockdown ( 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ). The lack of in-person networking and conferences and a decrease in supplemental professional funds have negative impact on career advancement ( 5 , 16 ).…”

“…The lack of in-person networking and conferences and a decrease in supplemental professional funds have negative impact on career advancement ( 5 , 16 ). Healthcare workers, especially women, have demonstrated an increase in stress and mental health concerns ( 2 , 3 , 15 , 17 ).…”

“…Healthcare workers, especially women, have demonstrated an increase in stress and mental health concerns (2,3,15,17).…”