Abstract
IntroductionIncreasing attention has been focused on parental leave, but little is known about early leave and parental experiences for male and female attending physicians. Our goal was to describe and quantify the parental leave experiences of a nationally representative sample of emergency physicians (EP).MethodsWe conducted a web-based survey, distributed via emergency medicine professional organizations, discussion boards, and listservs, to address study objectives.ResultsWe analyzed data from 464 respondents; 56% were women. Most experienced childbirth while employed as an EP. Fifty-three percent of women and 60% of men reported working in a setting with a formal maternity leave policy; however, 36% of women and 18% of men reported dissatisfaction with these policies. Most reported that other group members cover maternity-related shift vacancies; a minority reported that pregnant partners work extra shifts prior to leave. Leave duration and compensation varied widely, ranging from no compensated leave (18%) to 12 or more weeks at 100% salary (7%). Supportive attitudes were reported during pregnancy (53%) and, to a lesser degree (43%), during leave. Policy improvement suggestions included the development of clear, formal policies; improving leave duration and compensation; adding paternity and adoption leave; providing support for physicians working extra to cover colleagues’ leave; and addressing breastfeeding issues.ConclusionIn this national sample of EPs, maternity leave policies varied widely. The duration and compensation during leave also had significant variation. Participants suggested formalizing policies, increasing leave duration and compensation, adding paternity leave, and changing the coverage for vacancies to relieve burden on physician colleagues.
Highlights
Increasing attention has been focused on parental leave, but little is known about early leave and parental experiences for male and female attending physicians
Fifty-three percent of women and 60% of men reported working in a setting with a formal maternity leave policy; 36% of women and 18% of men reported dissatisfaction with these policies
Most reported that other group members cover maternity-related shift vacancies; a minority reported that pregnant partners work extra shifts prior to leave
Summary
Increasing attention has been focused on parental leave, but little is known about early leave and parental experiences for male and female attending physicians. In 1970, fewer than 10% of medical students were female, while in 2013 47% of medical school matriculants were women.[1] Women represented 38% of U.S medical school faculty in 2013, up from 32% in 2003 and less than 10% in the 1970s.2 This trend has been noted within the specialty of emergency medicine (EM) as well, with a rise in female residents from 28% in 2001 to 38% in 2013.3 As gender balance has continued to evolve in medicine, issues related to. Concurrent with the notably increased presence of women in medicine has been the growing number of physicians representing Generation X, those born between 1964 and 1980, and Millennials, known as Generation Y (born between 1980 and 1999). These two generational cohorts both tend to place increased value on work-life balance compared to prior generations.[5,6] Maternity leave exemplifies an issue that is supremely important both to women and to physicians who highly value work-life balance
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