Formal Parental Leave Policies and Trainee Well-Being in US Graduate Medical Education: A Systematic Review

Background Variability in parental leave policies across graduate medical education (GME) programs in the United States complicates efforts to support resident wellness and identify best practices for resident well-being. Objective This review aims to assess how formal parental leave policies affect trainees' well-being, professional satisfaction, and performance during training. Methods A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines was conducted and registered on PROSPERO in May 2023. Databases searched included MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central. Studies that evaluated parental leave policies of US-based GME programs and their direct impact on residents and/or fellows were included. Studies were screened for inclusion by 2 independent reviewers, and any conflicts were resolved by a third author. Results Of 1068 articles screened, 43 articles met inclusion criteria. These studies highlighted that leave durations of less than 6 weeks were associated with higher rates of burnout and postpartum depression among trainees. There was no evidence that taking parental leave increased program attrition rate; however, 3 studies reported more than one-third of trainees extended training as a result of taking leave. Trainees who had more than 8 weeks of parental leave reported more successful breastfeeding 6 months out from delivery than those with less than 8 weeks of leave. Conclusions Extended parental leave, notably beyond 6 weeks, improved trainee well-being and professional satisfaction. Based on trainees' perspectives, ideal parental leave policies offer a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks of leave, with a formal and clearly written policy available.