A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey of Anesthesiology Fellowship Program Directors: Attitudes on Parental Leave in Residency and Fellowship Training

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the impact of parental leave on anesthesiology fellowship directors' perception of their fellows. In addition, use of parental leave during residency can result in “off-cycle” residents applying for a fellowship. This study sought to clarify fellowship directors' attitudes and beliefs on effects of parental leave on fellows and off-cycle fellowship applicants. METHODS: An online survey was sent to anesthesiology fellowship program directors through e-mail addresses obtained from websites of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and specialty societies. Descriptive statistical analysis was used. RESULTS: In total, 101 fellowship directors (31% response rate) completed the survey. Forty-one (41%) directors had a fellow who took maternity leave in the past 3 years. Among the programs, 49 (49%) have a written policy about maternity leave and 36 (36%) have a written paternity or partner leave policy. Overall, most fellowship directors believed that becoming a parent had no impact on fellow performance and professionalism; more respondents perceived a greater negative impact on scholarly activities, standardized test scores, and procedural volume for female trainees than male trainees. Some fellowship directors (10/94; 11%) reported they do not allow off-cycle residents in their program. Among programs that allow off-cycle residents, more directors perceived it a disadvantage rather than an advantage. CONCLUSIONS: Fellowship directors perceive that anesthesiology residents who finish training outside the typical graduation cycle are at a disadvantage for fellowship training.