Related Experiment Videos
Gender disparities in perceived parenthood support among vascular surgery trainees
Margaret A Reilly1, Lindsey A Olivere2, Christina L Cui3
1Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
American Journal of Surgery
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Most surgical trainees feel supported to become parents, but support varies by gender. Implementing supportive policies, like backup call schedules, can improve feelings of support for surgical residents pursuing parenthood.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Gender Equity in Medicine
Background:
- Surgical trainees face unique challenges balancing career progression with parenthood.
- Understanding the availability of parenthood support interventions in surgical training programs is crucial.
- Perceived support influences trainees' decisions regarding family planning and career longevity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the availability of parenthood support interventions in vascular surgery training programs.
- To assess the association between these interventions and trainees' perceived level of support for parenthood.
- To identify disparities in perceived support based on gender and other demographic factors.
Main Methods:
- A national cross-sectional survey was administered to vascular surgery trainees.
- Trainees reported on perceived program support and the availability of parenthood support interventions.
- Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between support and demographic/intervention variables.
Main Results:
- Out of 447 respondents (65.7% response rate), 30.2% were current or expectant parents.
- Overall, 87.5% of trainees felt supported to pursue parenthood, but this varied significantly by gender (78.7% females vs. 92.8% males).
- Availability of backup call schedules was associated with a more than twofold increased odds of feeling supported (aOR 2.2).
Conclusions:
- While a majority of surgical trainees feel supported, significant gender disparities exist.
- Policies such as backup call schedules can positively impact trainees' feelings of support.
- Further interventions are necessary to ensure equitable support for all surgical trainees planning families.
Related Concept Videos
00:55Parental Care
Many animals exhibit parental care behavior, including feeding, grooming, and protecting young offspring. Parental care is universal in mammals and birds, which often have young that are born relatively helpless. Several species of insects and fish, as well as some amphibians, also care for their young.
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...