A National Survey of Pregnancy and Parenthood Among Nephrology Trainees: A Focus on Nephrology Fellowship.


Journal

Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN
ISSN: 1555-905X
Titre abrégé: Clin J Am Soc Nephrol
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101271570

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
10 May 2024
Historique:
received: 19 12 2023
accepted: 06 05 2024
medline: 10 5 2024
pubmed: 10 5 2024
entrez: 10 5 2024
Statut: aheadofprint

Résumé

National and international policies on parental leave for physician trainees are inconsistent. Physician trainees, including nephrology fellows, may be at higher risk of pregnancy complications. Physician trainees face barriers in meeting their breastfeeding goals and in finding childcare due to nontraditional work hours with extended or unpredictable shifts. Here, we examine awareness of current policies in United States (US) nephrology fellowship programs regarding parental leave, pregnancy/breastfeeding accommodations, and fellows' perspectives on family planning. An anonymous, on-line survey of US nephrology fellows was undertaken from June 9 to August, 24, 2023. One hundred twenty nephrology fellows submitted the survey. A majority of fellow respondents were unaware of parental leave policies of their training programs (63%), Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) (75%), and/or American Board of Medical Specialties(ABMS) (75%). Forty two percent were unaware of the duration of parental leave at their program. Nearly 45% of all respondents were unsure if their program limited night shifts or shifts greater than 24 hours for pregnant trainees. Forty three percent reported they were unsure of lactation accommodations, and 40% were unsure of access to subsidized childcare. When fellows received work accommodations for pregnancy or parenthood, their work obligations were largely covered by co-fellows (60%) or attendings (38%). Over 60% of fellows agreed or strongly agreed that they would avoid a pregnancy in fellowship due to concern they would have to extend their training. Of the 40 fellows who chose to pursue pregnancy or parenthood during medical training, 75% did not change their career plans as a result. Most nephrology fellows were unaware of parental leave policies and pregnancy/lactation accommodations. While the topic itself has a broad impact to all physician trainees, there is need for improved awareness about national and local program policies among trainees across individual nephrology programs.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
National and international policies on parental leave for physician trainees are inconsistent. Physician trainees, including nephrology fellows, may be at higher risk of pregnancy complications. Physician trainees face barriers in meeting their breastfeeding goals and in finding childcare due to nontraditional work hours with extended or unpredictable shifts. Here, we examine awareness of current policies in United States (US) nephrology fellowship programs regarding parental leave, pregnancy/breastfeeding accommodations, and fellows' perspectives on family planning.
METHODS METHODS
An anonymous, on-line survey of US nephrology fellows was undertaken from June 9 to August, 24, 2023.
RESULTS RESULTS
One hundred twenty nephrology fellows submitted the survey. A majority of fellow respondents were unaware of parental leave policies of their training programs (63%), Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) (75%), and/or American Board of Medical Specialties(ABMS) (75%). Forty two percent were unaware of the duration of parental leave at their program. Nearly 45% of all respondents were unsure if their program limited night shifts or shifts greater than 24 hours for pregnant trainees. Forty three percent reported they were unsure of lactation accommodations, and 40% were unsure of access to subsidized childcare. When fellows received work accommodations for pregnancy or parenthood, their work obligations were largely covered by co-fellows (60%) or attendings (38%). Over 60% of fellows agreed or strongly agreed that they would avoid a pregnancy in fellowship due to concern they would have to extend their training. Of the 40 fellows who chose to pursue pregnancy or parenthood during medical training, 75% did not change their career plans as a result.
CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS
Most nephrology fellows were unaware of parental leave policies and pregnancy/lactation accommodations. While the topic itself has a broad impact to all physician trainees, there is need for improved awareness about national and local program policies among trainees across individual nephrology programs.

Identifiants

pubmed: 38728092
doi: 10.2215/CJN.0000000000000486
pii: 01277230-990000000-00384
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Subventions

Organisme : NIDDK NIH HHS
ID : T32 DK007135
Pays : United States

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2024 by the American Society of Nephrology.

Auteurs

Angelina Dixon (A)

Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora CO 80045.

Nisha Bansal (N)

Division of Nephrology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195.

Susanne B Nicholas (SB)

Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095.

Anna Ostrow (A)

Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora CO 80045.

Jessica Kendrick (J)

Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora CO 80045.

Classifications MeSH