Where the Sidewalk Ends: Parenting as a Trainee during COVID-19
Mazie Tsang1, Rahul Banerjee2, Dionisia Quiroga3
1Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Cancer Investigation
|May 27, 2023
Summary
Physician parents, especially trainees, faced unique pandemic challenges like childcare and scheduling issues. Addressing these is crucial for supporting the future hematology/oncology workforce.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Workforce Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted healthcare professionals, particularly those balancing parental responsibilities.
- Existing research on physician-parents primarily examined attending physicians, leaving trainee experiences underrepresented.
- Physician-parents encountered unique stressors during the pandemic, affecting their professional and personal lives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the distinct challenges faced by trainee parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To identify key stressors including childcare difficulties, scheduling conflicts, and career uncertainties.
- To propose solutions for supporting the future hematology/oncology workforce.
Main Methods:
- This commentary synthesizes the unique experiences of trainee parents during the pandemic.
- It focuses on analyzing three primary areas of stress: childcare, scheduling, and career progression.
- The discussion draws upon observations and potential implications for medical training programs.
Main Results:
- Trainee parents experienced significant difficulties with childcare arrangements due to pandemic-related disruptions.
- Scheduling complexities in medical training programs exacerbated work-life balance issues for parents.
- Uncertainties regarding career trajectories and fellowship progression added substantial stress.
Conclusions:
- Addressing the specific needs of trainee parents is essential for retaining talent in hematology/oncology.
- Implementing supportive policies for childcare and flexible scheduling can mitigate pandemic-related stressors.
- Proactive measures are needed to ensure the well-being and career continuity of physician-parents.
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