Physicians as parents: parenting experiences of physicians in Newfoundland and Labrador.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the experiences of physicians as parents and to see if there were any differences in the parenting challenges perceived by male and female physicians.

DESIGN

Mailed survey.

SETTING

Newfoundland and Labrador.

PARTICIPANTS

The survey was mailed to 180 male and 180 female licensed physicians, with a response rate of 60% (N = 216).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Self-reported experiences of being a parent and a physician.

RESULTS

Female physicians reported spending significantly more time on child care activities and domestic activities than their male counterparts did (P < .001). There was no significant difference in the number of professional hours between the 2 sexes, but income was significantly lower for female physicians (P < .001). More women than men had positive physician-parent role models, although very few physicians of either sex had such role models. Female physicians reported bearing the most responsibility for the day-to-day functioning of the family; male physicians relied on their female partners to carry out the main family responsibilities. Women reported feeling guilty about their performance as mothers and as doctors. Male physicians reported regrets about the lack of time with family.

CONCLUSION

Although women make up an increasing percentage of the physician work force in Canada, they still face challenges as they continue to take primary responsibility for child care and domestic activities. Women are torn between their careers and their families and sometimes feel inadequate in both roles. Male physicians regret having a lack of time with family. Strategies need to be employed in both the workplace and at home to achieve an acceptable balance between being a physician and being a parent.