Factors affecting family planning among general surgery trainees

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Surgical trainees' reproductive years often coincide with critical training periods.
• Family planning needs and challenges for surgical residents are poorly understood.
• General Surgery (GS) trainees face unique career-specific barriers to family planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the current family planning landscape among General Surgery trainees.
• To identify career-specific barriers impacting childbearing decisions in surgical education.
• To understand gender-specific challenges in family planning for surgeons.

Main Methods:

• A 26-question survey was developed to assess family planning experiences.
• The survey was distributed nationwide to General Surgery residency and fellowship program directors.
• Statistical analysis included Pearson's Chi-Square and Fisher's exact tests.

Main Results:

• 234 US General Surgery trainees completed the survey.
• Work hours and female gender were linked to delayed childbirth.
• Top barriers included time (93.2%), career goals (63%), and cost (59.5%).
• Females reported greater impact from time and career goals, and considered fertility preservation more often.

Conclusions:

• Time constraints and career aspirations disproportionately affect female surgeons' childbearing decisions.
• Institutional resources must address gender-specific needs and family planning barriers.
• Tailored support is crucial for surgical trainees balancing career and family.