Navigating Family Leave in Cardiothoracic Surgery Training
Manuel Garcia Russo1, Anastasiia K Tompkins2, Omowunmi Akinade1
1Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|May 4, 2025
Summary
Cardiothoracic surgery trainees need clearer family leave policies. Current guidelines are insufficient, lacking actionable solutions for navigating personal and family needs during surgical training.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) training presents challenges for residents balancing family needs, such as childbirth or caregiving, with program requirements.
- Existing family leave policies from certifying bodies often have limitations, creating navigation difficulties for trainees.
- The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has established new policies that necessitate examination of current board requirements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the family leave policies of medical boards in cardiothoracic surgery.
- To assess the alignment of these policies with the 2022 ACGME policy.
- To develop a practical tool for trainees and program directors to manage family leave.
Main Methods:
- A literature review was performed using PubMed for publications from July 2022 to September 2024 on family leave in surgical specialties.
- Policies, requirements, and benefits of various certifying bodies were reviewed.
- Data from the American Association of Medical Colleges, American Boards of Surgery and Thoracic Surgery, and ACGME were analyzed for policy variations and gender distribution.
Main Results:
- No publications specifically addressed family leave in cardiothoracic surgery.
- Of 40 reviewed publications, 12 found parental leave policies to be unclear or insufficient.
- Policies varied significantly in duration and flexibility, with no link found between leave duration and gender representation.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive family leave policies are essential for cardiothoracic surgery programs and trainees.
- Current policies are inadequate, lacking clarity and actionable solutions.
- Standardized and supportive family leave is crucial for resident well-being and training continuity.
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