Impact of a department-sponsored portable breast pump initiative at a single institution

Many barriers to breastfeeding upon return to the workplace are reported by female radiologists, which have implications on maternal/infant health and physician burnout. The Department of Radiology at our institution piloted an initiative to provide a free portable breast pump to address these barriers.

An anonymous voluntary 32-question survey assessing the impact of the portable pump on postpartum work-life integration was sent to all female radiologists and radiologists-in-training in the department from May 2023 to July 2023.

A total of 59 surveys were completed (65 % response rate). Overall, respondents reported a positive or very positive impact of the pump on transitioning back to work (median 4.5/5 on a 5-point Likert scale), on their decision to continue breastfeeding when returning to work (median 4/5), and duration of breastfeeding (median 4/5). Use of the pump was reported as favorable, with utilization of the pump while simultaneously engaging in clinical work (median 4.5/5) obviating necessity of dedicated lactation rooms, and positive impact on daily productivity (median score of 4/5). Nearly all (94 %, 16/17) users of the portable pump had their lactational needs addressed while returning to work, compared to 54 % (6/13) of those returning from leave prior to the pump initiative (p = 0.003). Compared to those utilizing traditional lactational resources, those who utilized the portable pump were significantly less likely to miss educational opportunities (0 % vs 44 %, p = 0.03), or academic engagements due to lactational practices at work (0 % v 44 %, p = 0.01).

A department-sponsored portable breast pump initiative proved to be an effective resource to support physician breastfeeding and work-life integration.