Physician Fertility: A Call to Action

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Physician Well-being
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Infertility affects female physicians more than the general population, with significant underrepresentation in research.
• Physician infertility poses physical, emotional, and financial burdens, negatively impacting overall well-being.
• Existing fertility preservation options like cryopreservation are underutilized due to lack of awareness and financial barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the understudied issue of infertility among physicians.
• To emphasize the importance of addressing physician reproductive health for overall well-being.
• To propose strategies for improving fertility awareness, access, and support for physicians.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative review of existing literature and personal experiences.
• Analysis of the impact of infertility on physician well-being and career.
• Development of policy and educational recommendations.

Main Results:

• Infertility presents multifaceted challenges for physicians, impacting their personal and professional lives.
• Physicians often lack awareness of or access to fertility preservation and treatment options.
• Current literature inadequately addresses the unique aspects of physician infertility.

Conclusions:

• Increasing fertility education from medical school through practice is crucial.
• Ensuring insurance coverage for fertility assessment and management is essential.
• Providing comprehensive support for physicians undergoing fertility treatments will enhance workforce health.