TY - JOUR
T1 - Fertility and pregnancy complications in female orthopaedic surgeons
AU - Rutenberg, T. Frenkel
AU - Daglan, E.
AU - Shadmi, N.
AU - Iordache, S. D.
AU - Kosashvili, Y.
AU - Eylon, S.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved.
PY - 2024/7/1
Y1 - 2024/7/1
N2 - Background: While the number of female medical graduates continues to increase, only a few pursue an orthopaedic career. This is related to challenges regarding pregnancy and the peripartum period during orthopaedic training. Aims: To evaluate fertility, pregnancy-related complications and attitudes towards female orthopaedic surgeons in Israel. Methods: An electronic anonymous 34-question electronic web-based survey was sent to all Israeli female orthopaedic surgeons. Participation was voluntary. Questions were formulated to determine demographics, obstetrics medical history, teratogenic exposure, medical leave and breastfeeding parameters along with attitude towards pregnancy. Results: Twenty-six orthopaedic surgeons complied with the survey, 68% of all registered female orthopaedic surgeons. Participants age was 39.5 (±8.8). The average number of children for a female orthopaedic surgeon was 2.2 (±1.4), with an average of 1.3 (±1.1) deliveries during residency. The average age for a first child was 31.1 (±3.7) years. Four surgeons required fertility treatments and six had abortions. Thirty-eight per cent experienced pregnancy complications. Most surgeons were exposed to radiation and bone cement during pregnancy. The average duration of maternity leave was 19.4 (±9.9) weeks and return to work was associated with cessation of breastfeeding. Seventy-six per cent of surgeons felt that pregnancy had negatively influenced their training, and 12% reported negative attitudes from colleagues and supervisors. Conclusions: Orthopaedic surgeons in Israel experience a delay in childbirth and higher rates of pregnancy complications. Most feel that their training is harmed by pregnancy. Programme directors should design a personalized support programme for female surgeons during pregnancy and the peripartum period.
AB - Background: While the number of female medical graduates continues to increase, only a few pursue an orthopaedic career. This is related to challenges regarding pregnancy and the peripartum period during orthopaedic training. Aims: To evaluate fertility, pregnancy-related complications and attitudes towards female orthopaedic surgeons in Israel. Methods: An electronic anonymous 34-question electronic web-based survey was sent to all Israeli female orthopaedic surgeons. Participation was voluntary. Questions were formulated to determine demographics, obstetrics medical history, teratogenic exposure, medical leave and breastfeeding parameters along with attitude towards pregnancy. Results: Twenty-six orthopaedic surgeons complied with the survey, 68% of all registered female orthopaedic surgeons. Participants age was 39.5 (±8.8). The average number of children for a female orthopaedic surgeon was 2.2 (±1.4), with an average of 1.3 (±1.1) deliveries during residency. The average age for a first child was 31.1 (±3.7) years. Four surgeons required fertility treatments and six had abortions. Thirty-eight per cent experienced pregnancy complications. Most surgeons were exposed to radiation and bone cement during pregnancy. The average duration of maternity leave was 19.4 (±9.9) weeks and return to work was associated with cessation of breastfeeding. Seventy-six per cent of surgeons felt that pregnancy had negatively influenced their training, and 12% reported negative attitudes from colleagues and supervisors. Conclusions: Orthopaedic surgeons in Israel experience a delay in childbirth and higher rates of pregnancy complications. Most feel that their training is harmed by pregnancy. Programme directors should design a personalized support programme for female surgeons during pregnancy and the peripartum period.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85204819695&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/occmed/kqae044
DO - 10.1093/occmed/kqae044
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C2 - 38776463
AN - SCOPUS:85204819695
SN - 0962-7480
VL - 74
SP - 403
EP - 408
JO - Occupational Medicine
JF - Occupational Medicine
IS - 6
ER -