Danielle S Walsh1, Nancy L Gantt2, William Irish3, Hilary A Sanfey4, Sharon L Stein5. 1. Department of Surgery, East Carolina University, 600 Moye Blvd, Teaching Annex 207, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA. Electronic address: walshd@ecu.edu. 2. Department of Surgery, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Mercy St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, 1044 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, OH, 44501, USA. Electronic address: nlg@neomed.edu. 3. Department of Surgery, East Carolina University, 600 Moye Blvd, Teaching Annex 207, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA. Electronic address: Irishw17@ecu.edu. 4. Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University, PO Box 19638, Springfield, IL, 62794, USA. Electronic address: hsanfey@siumed.edu. 5. Department of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. Electronic address: Sharon.stein@uhhospitals.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: As women become a larger part of the surgical workforce, policies surrounding maternity and parental leave play a role in professional practice. Little is known about leave policies worldwide. METHODS: A de novo survey distributed internationally to women surgeons assessed leave polices for surgeons, inclusive of the regulatory body or source of applicable policies, changes in surgical practice due to pregnancy, and duration of leave for both parents. RESULTS: The 1111 survey respondents in 53 different countries describe diverse policies ranging from loss of operating room privileges early in pregnancy to maintenance of full surgical schedules until term delivery. Policy creators include national governments (42.38%), employers/hospitals (60.46%), supervisors (18.06%). Self-determined (9.12%), and unknown (8.7%). Paid parental leave was available to 64.44% of women surgeons and 38.68% of partners. CONCLUSION: Maternity and parental leave policies vary markedly across the global surgical workforce with implications for professional practice.
BACKGROUND: As women become a larger part of the surgical workforce, policies surrounding maternity and parental leave play a role in professional practice. Little is known about leave policies worldwide. METHODS: A de novo survey distributed internationally to women surgeons assessed leave polices for surgeons, inclusive of the regulatory body or source of applicable policies, changes in surgical practice due to pregnancy, and duration of leave for both parents. RESULTS: The 1111 survey respondents in 53 different countries describe diverse policies ranging from loss of operating room privileges early in pregnancy to maintenance of full surgical schedules until term delivery. Policy creators include national governments (42.38%), employers/hospitals (60.46%), supervisors (18.06%). Self-determined (9.12%), and unknown (8.7%). Paid parental leave was available to 64.44% of women surgeons and 38.68% of partners. CONCLUSION: Maternity and parental leave policies vary markedly across the global surgical workforce with implications for professional practice.
Authors: Daniel Sabido Jamorabo; Amrin Khander; Vasilios Koulouris; Jeremy Eli Feith; William Matthew Briggs; Benjamin Dwight Renelus Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-11-17 Impact factor: 3.240