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Family Planning in Cardiothoracic Surgery: A Comparison Between Male and Female Surgeons
Anna Olds1, Sameer Hirji2, Manuel Castillo-Angeles3
1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Heart Institute, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|June 15, 2024
Summary
Female cardiothoracic surgeons face unique challenges with family planning, often delaying careers or using assisted reproductive technology. More support is needed for work-family integration and after pregnancy loss.
Area of Science:
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Medical Education
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Work-family balance significantly influences medical specialty selection for both male and female students.
- Pregnancy and childbearing present unique considerations for women in medicine.
- Cardiothoracic surgery has historically low female representation, necessitating a focus on supporting women in the field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the family planning experiences of male and female cardiothoracic surgeons.
- To identify specific challenges women face in pursuing and maintaining a career in cardiothoracic surgery in relation to family planning.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from cardiothoracic trainees and surgeons between January and June 2023.
- Data collected included perceptions of family planning, use of assisted reproductive technology, number of children, and pregnancy characteristics.
- Male surgeons reported pregnancy outcomes related to their partners.
Main Results:
- Female cardiothoracic surgeons were more likely to be deterred from the specialty due to family desires (41.62% vs 22.93%).
- Women more frequently used assisted reproductive technology (32.37% vs 15.12%) and had fewer children than desired (40.81% vs 25.14%).
- Female surgeons had their first live birth at an older age (34 vs 32 years) and experienced higher rates of miscarriage, often returning to work with no time off.
Conclusions:
- Significant sex-based differences exist in the path to parenthood for cardiothoracic surgeons.
- Women are more likely to be deterred from cardiothoracic surgery due to perceived family planning challenges.
- There is a critical need for policies supporting work-family integration, maternal-fetal health, and postpartum/post-loss support in cardiothoracic surgery.
