Pregnancy Disclosure Among Trainees: How to Create a Culture of Trust

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Over the past decade, pregnancy discrimination in the US has been a significant issue, with more than 50,000 claims filed. This discrimination can lead to lower salaries and fewer promotions. In general surgery training, women face challenges including unmanageable work schedules, pregnancy stigma, inadequate maternity leave, insufficient childcare and lactation support, and lack of mentorship. A 2024 study found that 58% of female general surgery residents experienced pregnancy/parenthood-based mistreatment, leading to higher burnout rates and obstetric complications. Surgeons face obstetric complication rates of 25-82%, significantly higher than the general US population's 5-15%.
Pregnancy disclosure can be stressful for trainees, potentially leading to extended residency, delayed fellowship, and graduation. This workshop will explore strategies for trainees disclosing pregnancy or childcare needs, and for program directors and department chairs handling these requests. We'll discuss creating an open culture of trust and understanding to ease this process for both trainees and faculty. Additionally, we'll address paternity and parental caregiver leave. Case based discussion will be performed and discussed as small groups.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: 1. Discuss barriers in disclosure of pregenancy in the work place.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: 2. Identify strategies for creating a culture of trust allowing for better ability to plan and disclose potential pregenancies

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: 3. Discuss parental care giver leave as a partner of a person who is pregnent.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: This is an important and often neglected topic in surgery in general. Female trainees / surgeons often struggle with an how to disclose a pregnancy leading to burnout. In addition, male trainees / surgeons may feel pressured to return to work early or truncate their care giver leave.