Abstract
BACKGROUND: Physician parents experience challenges during their transition to parenthood and their return to work. We expanded a Parental Wellness Programme (PWP) to Department of Medicine faculty physicians and evaluated its impact on physician well-being. The programme supported new physician parents through peer mentorship and financial resources.
METHODS: Through internal marketing, expectant and new parent faculty were encouraged to self-enrol and were supported until 12 months following the child's birth (up to an 18-month period). Participants enrolled between October 2021 and September 2022. The programme included a US$500 feeding/lactation reimbursement and pairing with a parental wellness advocate (PWA), a physician with parenting experience. Anonymised participant surveys were voluntary and conducted at programme entry, and at 6 months and 12 months following the child's birth to assess return-to-work experience, lactation, burnout and programme impact. A final feedback survey was sent after all participants completed the programme.
RESULTS: The programme supported 67 participants (82% women). 53 participants responded to the baseline survey, of whom 85% were junior faculty/early career. At baseline, 85% of respondents planned to breastfeed; 88% at 12 months (n=25) reported breastfeeding. Participants indicated a desire for connection, support and resources at baseline; follow-up surveys confirmed that the programme provided these supports. By 12 months, 76% received individualised PWA support, 88% used the feeding/lactation reimbursement and 92% self-reported improved well-being on return to work. All respondents indicated they would recommend the programme to colleagues. Participant comments highlighted challenges with parental leave coverage, and time and space for lactation.
CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the scalability of a novel PWP that successfully supported early career and junior faculty during a difficult transition period. Feedback indicated ongoing system-based challenges and a need for institutional culture change.