title: Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency and Fertility Needs.
abstract: Infertility is a common reproductive disease, with a prevalence of 9% to 18% of the general population. To date, no studies have attempted to examine the prevalence and experience of infertility among resident physicians in the United States. In female obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) residents of age where infertility becomes more prevalent, ability to seek fertility may be influenced by rigorous professional demands and low remuneration. We seek to understand the prevalence of infertility, as well as experience and utilization of infertility services among Ob/Gyn residents. Cross-sectional descriptive survey was distributed among US Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited Ob/Gyn programs. Demographics, intentions to conceive during residency, fertility problems, fertility treatment, affordability of care, and perceptions of support were surveyed. A total of 241 responses were received in an equal distribution between junior (n = 120) and senior (n = 121) residents. The majority of respondents were female (91%), 25 to 35 years old (94%), and married (54%). Eighty-five percent (195 of 230) did not actively pursue fertility during residency. Twenty-nine percent (68 of 235) considered fertility preservation, but only 2% sought consultation. Twenty-nine percent of those interested in fertility (22 of 75) experienced infertility of some degree. Sixty-three percent felt low or no support from the program. Thirty-five percent reported stigma associated with their infertility. In conclusion, infertility is a prevalent reproductive health impairment among Ob/Gyn residents. The majority of residents defer childbearing during residency despite advancing reproductive age. A majority felt little or no support from training programs in addressing their fertility care. Further studies are indicated to understand the barriers and impact among resident trainees.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Lusine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aghajanova
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jacquelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mok-Lin
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.|2 Alta Bates IVF Program, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Herndon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education; D015995:Prevalence; D057545:Social Stigma
keywords: Ob/Gyn residents; access to care; infertility; support in residency