Parenting and female dermatologists’ perceptions of work-life balance

BACKGROUND: Women in medicine may feel pressure to choose between the competing demands of career goals and being a dedicated spouse and parent. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this survey study is to report on the current opinions of female dermatologists with regard to family planning, maternity leave, and career success. METHODS: We surveyed 183 members of the Women’s Dermatologic Society using a 13-question survey that was approved for distribution by the institutional review board committee of the University of Connecticut Health Center. RESULTS: We found that women were most likely to have children while they were residents (51%), despite the fact that residents were more likely to report barriers to childbearing at this career stage. These barriers included length of maternity leave, appearing less committed to residency responsibilities compared with peers, and inadequate time and privacy to breast feed. Strategies to achieve a work-life balance included hiring in-home help and working part-time. Of note, many women commented on the need for more family planning resources at work. CONCLUSION: Thought should be given to future administrative strategies that can lessen the burden of parents who are dermatologists and have academic ambitions.