Lactation challenges of resident physicians- results of a national survey

Abstract

Background There are unique challenges to parenting in residency and there is limited data to guide policy regarding lactation facilities and support for female physicians-in-training. We aimed to assess issues surrounding breast-feeding during graduate medical training for current residents or recent graduates from United States (US) residency programs. Methods A national cross-sectional survey was sent to current and recently graduated (2017 and later) female residents in June 2020. This questionnaire was administered using the Qualtrics Survey tool and was open to each participating woman’s organization for 4 weeks. Summary statistics were used to describe characteristics of all respondents and free-text responses were reviewed to identify common themes regarding avenues for improvement. Results Three hundred twelve women responded to the survey, representing a 15.6% response rate. The median duration of providing breastmilk was 9 months (IQR 6–12). 21% of residents reported access to usable lactation rooms within their training hospital, in which 12% reported a computer was present. 60% of lactating residents reported not having a place to store breast milk. 73% reported residency limited their ability to lactate, and 37% stopped prior to their desired goal. 40% reported their faculty and/or co-residents made them feel guilty for their decision to breastfeed, and 56% reported their difficulties with breastfeeding during residency impacted their mental health. Conclusion Residents who become mothers during training face significant obstacles to meeting their breastfeeding/pumping needs and goals. With these barriers defined, informed policy change can be instituted to improve the lactation experience for physicians-in-training.

Residency training experiences of residents with children: A phenomenological study

“…The other main recommendation identified by our resident participants was the lack of, and need for, better infrastructure at training sites for breastfeeding trainees. Other studies corroborate these findings and have advocated for expansion of acceptable resources for lactating residents, such as dedicated lactation rooms for resident physicians and protected time for lactating residents [ 23 ].…”

Parent‐in‐training: Resident and fellow experiences from pregnancy to parenthood

“…31 In our study, one in five breastfeeding parents felt that their program did not support their breastfeeding goals at all, echoing prior reports of barriers to lactation during GME training. [32][33][34] One in four breastfeeding parents reported that they never had time or space to meet their breastfeeding goals; this group showed our study's highest average PSS scores.…”

Supporting Breastfeeding Physicians Across the Educational and Professional Continuum: A Call to Action

“…13 A 2020 study found that, despite 87% and 27% of residents intending to breastfeed for 6 and 12 months, respectively, only 74% and 13% met these goals. 14 The etiology of breastfeeding discontinuation among physicians is multifactorial, with the most frequently cited reasons including inadequate access to pumping rooms, insufficient workplace and coworker support, and constrained schedules. 15,16 A common recurring theme involving barriers to pumping at work is a lack of access to "dedicated lactation rooms which were clean, private and fully equipped … in accessible locations. "…”