Purpose: This survey study sought to gain a better understanding of
the experiences and challenges physician moms face during training and as
junior faculty.
Background: Balancing the demands of medical training and a career
along with those of parenthood is challenging. Currently 46% of residents and
fellows in training are women, with a rate as high as 83% in Obstetrics and
Gynecology.
Methods: We surveyed 897 physician moms from January
2018-February 2018 about their experiences with child-bearing, breastfeeding
and maternity leave. Participants completed an open-ended question “What is
your biggest challenge as a physician mom?”, these answers were qualitatively
coded.
Results: The majority of participants (40%) had their first
child between 31 and 34 years old; 36% of participants had their first child as
a resident, while 28% did as junior faculty. For those who had a child during
residency, 38% breastfed for 1 year or more, 26% breastfed for 6 months or
less. For women who delayed child-bearing, 55% delayed to complete training,
21% delayed for financial reasons, 20% delayed for infertility, 12% of
participants delayed due to pressure from their training program. For women who
had a child during training 44% described having inadequate leave, but 53%
report support from program administration. The themes for biggest challenges
for physician moms were coded as: time/hours (37%), balance (26%);
over-expectation/guilt/shame (21%), work/working at home (21%), missing out (18%);
logistics/child-care (11%).
Discussions: Based on our results, there are clear ways residency programs
and departments can support physician moms with the challenges they face.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2019, Student, Resident, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Residency Director, Residency Coordinator, Professionalism, Interpersonal & Communication Skills, GME, UME, General Ob-Gyn,
