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Paying for Parenthood: Understanding Parental Leave Policies in Infectious Disease Fellowship
Catherine P Gardiner1, Laura Desrochers1, Kathleen Finn2
1Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Background:
Many physician trainees plan pregnancy during residency and fellowship. A study of internal medicine program directors (PDs) demonstrated frequent misinterpretation of American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) leave policies applied to parental leave. The primary aim was to investigate how infectious disease (ID) PDs interpret current ABIM leave policies.
Methods:
We surveyed 155 ID PDs in an online anonymous questionnaire about knowledge of ABIM leave policies and application toward trainee leaves.
Results:
Of 155 PDs, 56 (36%) responded to the survey. Nearly 70% incorrectly identified leave limits permitted. A majority mistakenly chose to extend training when a competent fellow was within the allowed duration of leave. PDs reported that the majority of ID trainee maternity/birth parent leaves (60%) were ≤7 weeks and only 7% were ≥12 weeks; 50% of paternity/nonbirth parent leaves were ≤3 weeks.
Conclusions:
Surveyed ID fellowship PDs often misinterpret ABIM leave policies and apply policies incorrectly when given sample scenarios..
Insights
Infectious disease fellowship program directors often misunderstand American Board of Internal Medicine parental leave policies. This leads to incorrect application of leave durations and training extensions for trainees.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Physician trainees frequently plan pregnancies during residency and fellowship.
- A prior study revealed internal medicine program directors often misinterpret American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) parental leave policies.
- This study focuses on Infectious Disease (ID) program directors' interpretation of these policies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how Infectious Disease (ID) program directors interpret current ABIM parental leave policies.
- To assess ID PDs' understanding and application of ABIM leave regulations for trainees.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to 155 ID program directors (PDs).
- The survey assessed knowledge of ABIM leave policies and their application to trainee leaves.
- 155 ID PDs were surveyed regarding their interpretation of ABIM leave policies.
Main Results:
- 36% (56 of 155) of PDs responded to the survey.
- Approximately 70% of respondents incorrectly identified the permissible leave limits.
- A majority of PDs would incorrectly extend training for a competent fellow within the allowed leave duration.
- Most ID trainee maternity/birth parent leaves were 7 weeks or less (60%), with only 7% being 12 weeks or more.
- 50% of paternity/non-birth parent leaves were 3 weeks or less.
Conclusions:
- Infectious disease fellowship program directors frequently misinterpret ABIM leave policies.
- PDs incorrectly apply these policies when presented with hypothetical trainee scenarios.
- Misinterpretation impacts the correct implementation of parental leave for ID fellows.
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