Giving 200%: Workplace Flexibility and Provider Distress Among Female Physicians

INTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests that female physicians experience higher rates of burnout compared to their male counterparts and are less likely to be satisfied with work-life integration. Understanding factors related to burnout and job turnover among female physicians is particularly relevant given the nationally projected physician shortage and maldistribution of providers. It may be particularly important to explore these factors among resident physicians, as many organizations might aim to pipeline these individuals into their existing workforce. This study aimed to (a) determine prevalence estimates of access to childcare and identify specific difficulties faced by working female physicians who are parents; (b) examine associations between provider distress and workplace flexibility; (c) examine differences in resident and non-resident physicians regarding workplace flexibility and access to parental resources. METHODS: Participants included 839 female medical providers who completed electronic surveys via social media. Descriptive, correlational, and linear regression analyses were used to examine associations. RESULTS: Few providers indicated that they had access to daycare through their workplace (7.2%, n = 62), but over three quarters of the group indicated that they wished they had access to daycare (76.0%, n = 638). Stress and burnout were negatively associated with how supported female physicians felt at work. This was the case for time off for parental leave, access to a comfortable space and adequate time for breastfeeding, flexibility of the job to handle family conflicts, and amount of time available for family and professional development. DISCUSSION: Future research might examine whether medical organizations that implement childcare facilities for working female physicians are more likely to retain and/or attract physicians to their employment.