Survey of perspectives on parental leave policies in Canadian surgical training programs

Purpose For decades, there have been calls to implement parental leave policies for physicians. However, few studies have examined parental leave in surgical specialties, especially non-childbearing leave. This study examined childbearing and non-childbearing parental leave policies at Canadian academic surgical centres, perspectives on these policies, and the effects of becoming a parent in a surgical career. Methods Two online surveys were sent to 16 Canadian surgical department chairs. Chairs were asked to distribute one version to all surgical residents, fellows, faculty, program directors, and division chairs within their respective institutions, as well as to complete a second, similar version themselves. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results 182 responses were received between January and May 2019. Findings showed that the amount of time taken off for childbearing leave was much less than desired. Respondents were split in their opinions about the ideal amount of time to be taken off for non-childbearing leave. Program directors and division chairs believed that residents and faculty took more time off for parental leave than what was reported. Across all roles, respondents reported a lack of knowledge about parental leave, nursing, and return-to-work policies. Conclusion Canadian surgical programs do not currently present clear policies regarding parental leave, and the amount of time taken off is much less than desired. Further research into the socioeconomic barriers that prevent residents and faculty from taking leave and on ways of more effectively integrating new parents back into the workforce is needed to improve gender equity in the profession.