Pregnancy and maternity policies in radiology residencies: The 1993 survey of the american association for women radiologists

Abstract

In the early 1980s, the American Association for Women Radiologists (AAWR) issued a recommendation that all radiology programs develop a written pregnancy and maternity leave policy for house staff. Recognizing that there are many individual and institutional variables, the AAWR chose not to recommend any specific policy, but it did emphasize the wisdom each department's developing a written policy that would be readily available to all house staff. In 1987, the AAWR surveyed both academic and private diagnostic radiology departments and 30 radiation therapy departments regarding pregnancy and maternity leave policies for house staff [1]. It was reported that many departments did not have formal policies then; 79 144 (55%) reported having policies, but only 16 examples written policies could be collected from the respondents. Furthermore, at 67% these institutions, the policy was available only on request by the house staff officer. The AAWR was concerned that their recommendation was infrequently carried out. Other official bodies had similar concerns and subsequently made their own recommendations. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education urges that each resident be offered for acceptance a written agreement encompassing . . . benefits including . . . vacations, sick leave, hospital and health insurance [2]. The American College Radiology adopted a resolution in 1991 endorsing the development of a family leave policy integrated with disability and emergency leave policies consistent with applicable existing law. This policy shall be given to all applicants as an integral part their recruitment [3]. Given the interest in this issue expressed by these organizations, the AAWR felt that another sulwey would be timely. The results this survey are reported here. SURVEY RESULTS