Welfare practices for anaesthesiology trainees in Europe: A descriptive cross-sectional survey study

BACKGROUND: Current regulations of anaesthesiology training programmes may affect gender equity, female representation and leadership. OBJECTIVE: To describe the work regulations of anaesthesiology training programs and working conditions during the early period of child-rearing in European countries. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: National Anesthesiologists Societies Committee (NASC) representatives of the European Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight NASC representatives. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Basic specialist training working conditions, gender-related data, return to work after childbirth and workplace policies against discrimination during anaesthesiology specialist training. INTERVENTION(S): A 48-item questionnaire to explore the work patterns and conditions for trainees especially for new parents, professional development opportunities and work discrimination regulations in each representative country was distributed to NASC representatives of 44 European countries. RESULTS: We collected the replies of each representative (38 representatives from 44 invited countries’ representatives, 86% response rate). The median [IQR] proportion of female trainees was 60% [50 to 68]. There were no reported pay differences between sexes. In eight European countries, pregnant trainees worked fewer hours and were excused from night shifts. Women could not be laid off during pregnancy in all 38 countries (100%). The countries offered a median of 18 weeks of paid (total or partial) maternity leave (range, 13 to 60 weeks). Most countries (89%) accommodate paid paternity leaves. A significant proportion of parental leave was unpaid (n=18, 42%). Twenty-one (55%) countries allowed part-time work after delivery. The UK was the only country with clear recommendations to formally complain after harassment. CONCLUSION: European countries have a wide variety of regulations. On paper, numerous countries have various paid maternal, paternal and parental leave; however, it remains to be determined if such leave takes place in practice. The practical consequences of these regulations on female trainees during the child-rearing period need to be explored further. TRIAL REGISTRATION: None