Promoting Lactation Support: Challenges and Solutions to Supporting Breastfeeding Radiologists

Area of Science:

• Medical research
• Occupational health
• Women's health

Background:

• Evidence supports breastfeeding benefits, yet many parents struggle to continue after returning to work.
• Breastfeeding physicians, including radiologists, encounter unique workplace challenges.
• Limited research exists on breastfeeding experiences among radiologists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate breastfeeding barriers faced by radiologists.
• To identify potential solutions for radiologists to achieve their breastfeeding goals.
• To inform strategies for enhanced lactation support in academic radiology.

Main Methods:

• A 17-question survey was developed and pilot-tested.
• The survey was distributed to members of the American Association for Women in Radiology.
• Bivariate analyses using chi-square tests were performed on the collected data.

Main Results:

• 50 radiologists completed the survey; 56% met their breastfeeding goals.
• Key workplace challenges included lack of time (82%), space (34%), and unsupportive culture (42%).
• Adequate time for pumping/breastfeeding was significantly associated with meeting breastfeeding goals (p=0.028).

Conclusions:

• Nearly half of breastfeeding radiologists do not meet their goals due to facility and institutional barriers.
• Sufficient time for lactation is a critical factor for achieving breastfeeding success.
• Structural and cultural changes are needed to improve workplace lactation support for radiologists.