THE DOUBLE-EDGED SCALPEL: EXPERIENCES AND PERCEPTIONS OF PREGNANCY AND PARENTHOOD DURING CANADIAN SURGICAL RESIDENCY TRAINING

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The proportion of female medical students in Canada is continually increasing, yet only 32% of Canadian surgeons in 2020 were female. Prolonged surgical residency training, infertility associated with delaying pregnancy, and increased obstetrical complications have been shown to contribute to the disproportionate lack of females in surgical specialties. Our aim was to gain insights into the current climate of parenthood during surgical training in Canada. An online survey was sent out in August 2022 to all surgical residents in Canada. All respondents were asked about perceptions of pregnancy and parenthood during surgical training, while parents were asked about parental leave/accommodations, and pregnancy complications. Chi squared tests were used to compare responses from female versus male residents. 272 responses were obtained. We had a high proportion of responses from women (61.8%) and orthopaedic surgery residents (29.0%) (Table 1). Fifty-six women reported 76 pregnancy events during their training; 62.5% of pregnancies had complications. Men were less aware of increased pregnancy complication rates in surgeons; 27.3% of men versus 86.7% of women agreed or strongly agreed that surgeons have higher pregnancy complication rates than the general population (p less likely to believe that pregnant residents should be offered modified duties (74.2% of men, 90.0% of women, p=0.003). Women were more likely to experience significant stigma or bias due to their parental status (43% of women, 0% of men, p negative comments related to pregnancy during training from staff or co-residents compared to men (58.5% of women, 40.7% of men, p=0.013). Women were more likely to agree or strongly agree that there is negative stigma attached to being pregnant during training (62.7% of women, 42.7% of men, p=0.01), whereas men were more likely to disagree or strongly disagree that parental leave during training has an impact on future job prospects (43.8% of men, 29.3% of women, p < 0 .001). The experiences of pregnancy and parenthood during surgical training in Canada differ significantly between female and male surgical residents. Women experience high rates of pregnancy complications, stigma and bias, and negative comments. Working towards gender equity in surgical specialities necessitates addressing prevailing parenthood inequalities. For any figures or tables, please contact the authors directly.

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