Otolaryngology residents' experiences of pregnancy and return to work: A multisite qualitative study

Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology

article

Eve P. Champaloux MD, PhD¹  Anne Starks Acosta MSc²  Stacey T. Gray MD³  Tanya K. Meyer MD¹  Regan W. Bergmark MD⁴ 

[1] Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington;Valora Consulting;Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear;Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School and Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital

关键词: diversity;    gender;    otolaryngology;    parity;    pregnancy;    surgery;    surgical workforce;    women;    workforce;   

DOI  :  10.1002/lio2.878

学科分类：环境科学（综合）

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

Objectives A paucity of literature exists about childbearing during otolaryngology residency. Pregnancy is a common part of many physician life cycles, but the timing of residency and the rigors of surgical training amplify the challenges. This study was designed to understand the experiences of childbearing otolaryngology residents and support them during this major life event. Unique challenges include long training, shortage of role models, combination surgical and clinical work, and higher rates of infertility. Study Design Qualitative research. IRB exempt. Setting United States. Methods To capture modern perspectives, 16 current and former otolaryngology residents that experienced pregnancy and childbirth during residency in all four geographic regions of the United States in the past 10 years were recruited to participate in individual structured qualitative interviews. Results Although there was significant training program and personal anxiety reported by childbearing otolaryngology residents, many surgeons experienced healthy pregnancies and postpartum recoveries with minimal disruption to clinical productivity and minimal disruption to their training programs. Multiple recurring themes were identified among the participants spanning the entire childbearing process: increased incidence of pregnancy complications and preterm labor, pregnancy stigma from leadership and coresidents, scheduling logistics regarding call and parental leave, and challenging transitions back to clinical work while navigating breastfeeding and childcare. Conclusion There are actional recommendations that programs can address to make childbearing during residency accessible and acceptable. Understanding these challenges is an important step to encouraging childbearing residents to prosper in academic otolaryngology, increasing the diversity at the highest levels of the field. Level of Evidence 4.

【 授权许可】

CC BY|CC BY-NC-ND