Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2025
08:51
Mammary Epithelial Transplant Procedure
Published on: June 10, 2010
31.0K
One Pump at a Time: A Wearable Lactation Pump Pilot for Graduate Medical Education Trainees
Virginia Sheffield1,2, Sarah Tomlinson3,4, Harlan McCaffery4
1Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Summary
Wearable lactation pumps significantly improved graduate medical education trainees' experiences, reducing the impact of lactation on clinical care and education. These pumps helped trainees meet lactation goals and overcome work-related barriers.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Lactation Support
- Workplace Health
Background:
- Lactating graduate medical education (GME) trainees face challenges returning to work.
- Wearable lactation pumps are beneficial for physicians, but their impact on GME trainees is underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the benefits of wearable lactation pumps for GME trainees.
- To examine the impact on clinical care and medical education.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving lactating GME trainees using wearable pumps.
- Pre- and post-intervention surveys and monthly follow-ups over 6 months.
- Linear mixed-effects modeling to compare experiences.
Main Results:
- Significant decrease in perceived impact of lactation on clinical care (p=0.03) and medical education (p=0.004).
- Significant reduction in missed pumping sessions (p=0.02).
- All participants reported meeting lactation goals with wearable pumps.
Conclusions:
- Wearable pumps benefit GME trainees, potentially reducing barriers to clinical care and education.
- GME programs could support lactating trainees by sponsoring wearable pump initiatives.
