Compatibility of procreation, pregnancy, and early parenthood in female and male surgeons during surgical training in Switzerland: national survey study.

BACKGROUND

Lengthy training and stressful work schedules can cause surgeons to renounce part-time work and delay pregnancy. The aim of this survey study was to evaluate constraints of part-time work, procreation, pregnancy, and early parenthood among young surgeons in Switzerland.

METHODS

An anonymous survey on different aspects of private life and surgical training was distributed to young board-certified general surgeons in Switzerland.

RESULTS

Out of the 680 surveys sent, a total of 375 were completed (response rate of 55.1%), with 308 included for further analysis (157 from female participants and 151 from male participants). There was no difference between male and female participants in the time required for board and sub-specialty certification. Female participants had a higher rate (59 of 157 (37.6%) versus 28 of 151 (18.5%), P < 0.001) and longer duration (mean(s.d.) of 5.5(4.0) versus 1.8(1.1) years, P < 0.001) of part-time employment. Female participants less frequently had children (70 of 157 (44.6%) versus 106 of 151 (70.2%), P < 0.001). They were older (median age of 35 (interquartile range 33-37.5) years) than male participants (median age of 33.5 (interquartile range 31.75-35) years) (P < 0.001) and female partners of male participants (median age of 32 (interquartile range 30-33) years) (P < 0.001) at first childbirth. Female participants more frequently delayed pregnancy due to training (94 of 127 (74.0%) versus 28 of 138 (20.3%), P < 0.001) and had higher rates of infertility (16 of 70 (23%) versus 11 of 106 (10.4%), P = 0.032) and use of assisted reproductive technology (18 of 127 (14.2%) versus 6 of 138 (4.3%), P = 0.009). Female participants more frequently perceived their gender as a negative career influence (105 of 157 (66.9%) versus 9 of 151 (6.0%), P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Combining procreation, pregnancy, and early parenthood with surgical training is challenging for young surgeons in Switzerland. Providing equal opportunities for all genders and promoting changes in working conditions will be necessary to ensure optimal surgical training for future generations.