Examining the cost of childcare in general surgery training
Danielle J Wilson1, Melissa K Drezdzon1, Timothy J Ridolfi2
1Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 W Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
Insights
Childcare costs consume up to 35% of general surgery resident salaries in high-cost states. Significant additional household income is needed to meet affordability benchmarks, highlighting financial strain during surgical training.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Public Health Economics
Background:
- Rising childcare costs present a significant financial burden for general surgery residents on fixed stipends.
- This financial pressure may impact resident well-being and career decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the economic relationship between general surgery resident salaries and regional childcare expenses.
- To assess the affordability of childcare for residents across different geographic locations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized FREIDA™ to identify general surgery residency programs.
- Compared 2023-2024 PGY-1 salaries with regional childcare costs from the National Database of Childcare Prices.
- Modeled childcare affordability for single- and dual-income households, including scenarios with two children.
Main Results:
- Median PGY-1 salary was $62,974, with infant care costing $13,772 nationally.
- Childcare expenses accounted for 20% of resident salaries nationwide, reaching up to 35% in high-cost states.
- Achieving the HHS 7% affordability benchmark necessitates a median additional household income of $126,219.
Conclusions:
- Data quantify the economic disparity between resident stipends and childcare expenditures.
- Findings underscore the need for enhanced family support resources within surgical training programs.
- This analysis can inform policy discussions aimed at alleviating financial stress for residents.
Background:
Childcare costs are rising across the United States, posing potential financial challenges for general surgery residents who earn fixed stipends. This study evaluates the cost of childcare in relation to resident salaries across geographic regions.
Methods:
General surgery residency programs were identified using FREIDA™. 2023-2024 PGY-1 salaries were compared to regional childcare costs from the National Database of Childcare Prices. Childcare affordability was modeled for single- and dual-income households, including scenarios with two children.
Results:
Median PGY-1 salary for 2023-2024 was $62,974 (137 % increase from 2008) and infant care cost was $13,772 (150 % increase). Childcare consumed 20 % of resident salaries nationally and up to 35 % in high-cost states. Meeting the HHS 7 % affordability benchmark requires median additional household income of $126,219.
Conclusions:
These data quantify the economic relationship between resident salaries and childcare costs across regions. This information may inform discussions regarding family support resources during surgical training.
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