|
1
|
Corbisiero MF, Stellern JJ, Kyllo HM, Burnet G, DeSanto K, Christian N, Acker SN. Formal Parental Leave Policies and Trainee Well-Being in US Graduate Medical Education: A Systematic Review. J Grad Med Educ 2024; 16:532-544. [PMID: 39416406 PMCID: PMC11475440 DOI: 10.4300/jgme-d-24-00018.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 10/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Variability in parental leave policies across graduate medical education (GME) programs in the United States complicates efforts to support resident wellness and identify best practices for resident well-being. Objective This review aims to assess how formal parental leave policies affect trainees' well-being, professional satisfaction, and performance during training. Methods A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines was conducted and registered on PROSPERO in May 2023. Databases searched included MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central. Studies that evaluated parental leave policies of US-based GME programs and their direct impact on residents and/or fellows were included. Studies were screened for inclusion by 2 independent reviewers, and any conflicts were resolved by a third author. Results Of 1068 articles screened, 43 articles met inclusion criteria. These studies highlighted that leave durations of less than 6 weeks were associated with higher rates of burnout and postpartum depression among trainees. There was no evidence that taking parental leave increased program attrition rate; however, 3 studies reported more than one-third of trainees extended training as a result of taking leave. Trainees who had more than 8 weeks of parental leave reported more successful breastfeeding 6 months out from delivery than those with less than 8 weeks of leave. Conclusions Extended parental leave, notably beyond 6 weeks, improved trainee well-being and professional satisfaction. Based on trainees' perspectives, ideal parental leave policies offer a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks of leave, with a formal and clearly written policy available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michaele Francesco Corbisiero
- Michaele Francesco Corbisiero, MD, MSc, MPH*, at the time of the study was a Medical Student, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA, and is now a Resident Physician, Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jordan J. Stellern
- Jordan J. Stellern, MD*, at the time of the study was a Medical Student, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA, and is now a Resident Physician, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Hannah M. Kyllo
- Hannah M. Kyllo, MD, at the time of the study was a Medical Student, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA, and is now a Resident Physician, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - George Burnet
- George Burnet, MD, at the time of the study was a Medical Student, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA, and is now a Resident Physician, Department of General Surgery, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kristen DeSanto
- Kristen DeSanto, MS, is a Professional Information Scientist, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Strauss Health Sciences Library, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Nicole Christian
- Nicole Christian, MD, is an Associate Professor and Associate Program Director of the General Surgery Residency Program, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA; and
| | - Shannon N. Acker
- Shannon N. Acker, MD, is an Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Conway SE, Wang W, Prasad S. Barriers to increasing paid parental leave in U.S. neurology residencies: a survey of program directors. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2024; 24:387. [PMID: 38594709 PMCID: PMC11003009 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-05333-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) require that residency programs allow at least 6 weeks of parental leave. The American Medical Association (AMA) recommends 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Despite these recommendations, there is little information about parental leave policies across U.S. neurology residencies. The objective of our study was to assess parental leave policies in U.S. adult neurology residencies and barriers to increasing the duration of leave. METHODS We distributed an anonymous online survey to U.S. adult neurology program directors (PDs) to assess demographics, components and length of parental leave, perceived impact on residents' clinical training and academic development, and barriers to increasing the length of leave. RESULTS We contacted 163 PDs and received 54 responses (response rate of 33%). 87% reported policies for both childbearing and non-childbearing residents. The average maximal length of leave allowed without extension of training was 8.5 weeks (range 0-13) for childbearing and 6.2 weeks (range 0-13) for non-childbearing residents. Most PDs felt that parental leave had a positive impact on resident wellness and neutral impact on clinical competency, academic opportunities, and career development. The most common barriers to providing a 12-week paid policy were concerns about equity in the program (82%), staffing of clinical services (80%), and impact on clinical training (78%). CONCLUSIONS Although most programs in our study have parental leave policies, there is significant variability. Policies to improve parental leave should focus on addressing common barriers, such as additional solutions to staffing clinical services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Conway
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Wei Wang
- Departments of Medicine and Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Sleep Medicine and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sashank Prasad
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
DeBenedectis CM, Lewis MC, Cooke EA, Menash SJ, Robbins JB, Slanetz PJ, Deitte L. Operationalizing the New ABR Residency Leave Policy for Trainees: A Practical Guide for Program Directors. Acad Radiol 2023; 30:1709-1713. [PMID: 36473796 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2022.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Madeline C Lewis
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Erin A Cooke
- Director of Arts, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sarah J Menash
- Seattle Children's Hospital and University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jessica B Robbins
- Vice Chair of Faculty Development and Enrichment, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Priscilla J Slanetz
- Division of Breast Imaging, Department of Radiology, Boston University Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lori Deitte
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Continuous Professional Development, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| |
Collapse
|