Parenting in Surgery: A Structured Initiative to Support Surgeons Navigating Pregnancy and Early Parenthood During...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Work-Life Balance

Background:

• Surgical trainees experience unique challenges balancing pregnancy and parenthood with demanding residency programs.
• Existing institutional support systems may not adequately address the multifaceted needs of surgical trainees during family planning and parenting.
• The

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key obstacles surgical trainees encounter during pregnancy and early parenthood.
• To explore opportunities for enhancing programmatic support for trainees with families.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the "Parenting in Surgery" initiative in addressing these challenges.

Main Methods:

• A sequential exploratory mixed-methods study involving semi-structured interviews with surgical trainees and junior faculty.
• Development of the "Parenting in Surgery" initiative based on initial qualitative findings.
• A postimplementation survey assessing trainee perceptions of support and resources 17 months after initiative launch.

Main Results:

• Trainees reported themes of fear of seeking help, varying physical pregnancy demands, overlooked postpartum challenges, emotional isolation, and financial/logistical stress.
• Survey respondents prioritized healthy pregnancy, managing workload, and financial strain; while many felt comfortable confiding in peers/faculty, only 35% perceived adequate program infrastructure support.
• Awareness of specific resources like family leave (60%), family planning (24%), and childcare (40%) was inconsistent.

Conclusions:

• Significant gaps persist in institutional support for surgical trainees navigating parenthood.
• The "Parenting in Surgery" initiative offers structured protocols but requires increased awareness and ongoing evaluation.
• Enhancing support systems is critical for improving trainee well-being, satisfaction, and retention in surgical careers.