Pediatric resident perceptions of family-friendly benefits.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine the importance of family-friendly features in residency program selection, benefits offered to and used by residents, and importance of benefits in future job selection.


METHODS
A survey of a random, national sample of 1000 graduating pediatric residents in 2008 was mailed and e-mailed.


RESULTS
Survey response rate for graduating resident respondents was 59%. Among the respondents, 76% were women. Thirty-seven percent of men and 32% of women were parents. Residents with children were more likely than residents without children to rate family-friendly characteristics as very important in their residency selection (P < .05). Many residents reported that their programs offered maternity leave (88%), paternity leave (59%), individual flexibility with schedule (63%), and lactation rooms (55%), but fewer reported on-site child care (24%), care for ill children (19%), and part-time residency positions (12%). Among residents reporting availability, 77% of women with children used maternity leave and lactation rooms. Few held part-time residency positions (2%), but many expressed interest (23% of women with children). The majority of residents with and without children reported that flexibility with schedule was important in their future job selection. Most women with children (71%) and many women without children (52%) considered part-time work to be very important in their job selection.


CONCLUSIONS
Family-friendly benefits are important to residents, particularly those with children. The data provides a benchmark for the availability and use of family-friendly features at pediatric training programs. The data also shows that many residents are unaware if benefits are offered, which suggests a need to make available benefits more transparent to residents.
Berkowitz
Carol D
CD
Department of Pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, Calif, USA.
Frintner
Mary Pat
MP
Cull
William L
WL
D000328:Adult; D002322:Career Mobility; D002648:Child; D002654:Child Care; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D015279:Organizational Culture; D016524:Parental Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D010822:Physicians, Women; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014931:Women, Working