Childcare challenges among surgical trainees and faculty: a single-institution study
Emma G Burke1, Sarah Peiffer1, Melissa Koci1
1Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Insights
Childcare costs burden surgical trainees more than faculty, despite similar expenses. Managing multiple childcare sources adds stress for surgeon-parents at all career levels.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Work-Life Balance
Background:
- Parenthood presents unique challenges for surgeons.
- Childrearing aspects for surgeons require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize childcare complexity and costs for surgical trainees and faculty.
- To assess the financial and logistical burdens of childcare in surgery.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous survey of surgical trainees and faculty at an academic medical center.
- Analysis included male and female participants.
- Statistical tests (Chi-square, Fisher's Exact) were employed.
Main Results:
- Over half of respondents spend >$20,000 annually on childcare.
- Trainees reported higher work hours but fewer/younger children than faculty.
- Trainees (89%) expressed more worry about childcare costs than faculty (46%).
- Coordinating multiple childcare sources is a common challenge.
Conclusions:
- Childcare costs disproportionately burden surgical trainees.
- Support is needed for surgeon-parents across all career stages.
- Managing multiple childcare arrangements causes stress for surgeons.
Background:
Previous studies have demonstrated the challenges of parenthood in surgical training and careers. However, certain aspects of childrearing for surgeons remain understudied. We aim to leftacterize the complexity and costs of childcare amongst surgical trainees and faculty.
Methods:
An anonymous, self-administered survey was conducted within the Department of Surgery at a large academic medical center. Both male and female trainees and faculty were included in the analysis. Chi-square or Fisher's Exact test was performed.
Results:
Forty-six respondents provided information about childcare costs, with 37% of respondents being residents or fellows. Trainees worked longer workhours (p = 0.003) than their faculty counterparts. Despite trainees having fewer (p = 0.001) and younger (p = 0.001) children, there was no statistically significant difference in the annual childcare costs (p = 0.6). Over half of trainees and faculty report spending more than $20,000 annually. Childcare costs seem to place a greater burden on trainees, with 89% of trainees and 46% of faculty reporting that they are worried about the cost of childcare (p = 0.04). In addition to the expense, coordinating childcare is also challenging, with most respondents reporting multiple sources of childcare.
Conclusion:
Concerted efforts are needed to support surgeon-parents at all career stages. The cost of childcare places an increased burden on surgical trainees compared to their faculty counterparts. Management of multiple sources of childcare is also a source of stress for both faculty and trainees.
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