title: Pregnancy and Parenthood in Radiation Oncology, Views and Experiences Survey (PROVES): Results of a Blinded Prospective Trainee Parenting and Career Development Assessment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Medical training spans nearly a decade, during which many physicians traditionally begin families. Although childrearing responsibilities are shared by men and women in the modern era, differences in time allocated to child care by sex and its potential impact on residency experience merit discussion.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous, voluntary, 102-item survey was distributed to 540 current radiation oncology residents and 2014 graduates that asked about marital and parental status, pregnancy during residency, publication productivity, career aspirations, and experiences working with pregnant co-residents. Respondents with children were asked about childcare arrangements, and women who were pregnant during residency were asked about radiation safety, maternity leave, and breastfeeding experiences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 190 respondents completed the survey, 107 men (56.3%) and 84 women (43.7%). Ninety-seven respondents (51.1%) were parents, and 84 (44.2%) reported a pregnancy during residency. Respondents with children more often were male (65% vs 47.3%; P=.014), in a higher level of training (79.3% vs 54.8% were PGY4 or higher; P=.001), were older (median age of 32, interquartile range [IQR]:31-35] vs age 30 [IQR: 29-33]; P<.001), had a PhD (33% vs 19.3%, respectively; P=.033), were married (99% vs 43%, respectively; P<.001), and had a partner who did not work (24.7% vs 1.9%, respectively; <.001). There were no differences in the number of manuscripts published or the number of residents who expressed likelihood of pursing an academic career by parental status. Among parents, men more frequently had partners who did not work (38.1% vs 0%, respectively; P<.001) and reported that their partner performed a greater percentage of childcare duties (70% [IQR: 60%-80%] vs 35% [IQR: 20%-50%], respectively; P<.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pregnancy and parenthood are common during residency. Female residents are frequently responsible for more childcare duties than males but have similar research productivity and career aspirations. Further investigation is critical to elucidate gender disparities in parenthood and career development.
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Emma B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Holliday
authors.affiliation: Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
authors.forename: Awad A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Reshma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jagsi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Natalie Clark
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Stentz
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Wendy A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Woodward
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Clifton D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Medicine, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Electronic address: thomasch@ohsu.edu.
authors.forename: Charles R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002322:Career Mobility; D002648:Child; D002654:Child Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016524:Parental Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016487:Parenting; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011643:Publishing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011835:Radiation Protection; D012737:Sex Factors