Perceptions of American Urologists on Parental Leave: The Need for Transparent and Equitable Policies

To assess current parental leave practices, policies, and attitudes among urologists across all genders and career stages, and to identify opportunities for improving transparency and equity in parental leave policies.

An anonymous, voluntary 32-question survey was distributed to 11,115 domestic members of the American Urological Association between November 2022 and January 2023. The survey, developed by the Society of Women in Urology Task Force on Parenting Resources, addressed experiences with fertility, peri-pregnancy support, lactation support, and parental leave. Descriptive statistics summarized responses, and gender-based comparisons were conducted using Fisher's exact tests (P <.05).

A total of 682 urologists responded (response rate 6.1%), with respondents comprising 87% attendings, 5% fellows, and 8% residents. Fifty-five percent had taken parental leave, most commonly as attendings. The mean leave duration was 7.6 weeks (SD 5.3). Respondents recommended 12 weeks (SD 9) for birthing parents and 7 weeks (SD 8) for non-birthing parents. Sixty percent reported no formal parental leave policy at their institution. Men were more likely to receive full compensation (48% vs 30%, P = .0007), while women more often reported salary impacts (44% vs 18%, P <.0001).

Parental leave practices in urology remain inconsistent and marked by gender disparities in duration and compensation. Standardized, transparent, and equitable policies are essential for supporting urologists, ensuring workforce retention, and fostering an inclusive professional environment.