Survey of female gynecologic oncologists and fellows: Balancing professional and personal life

Objective. The aim of this study was to determine how female gynecologic on cologists have dealt with the challenge of combining childbearing and a car eer in gynecologic oncology and to identify other issues which need to be a ddressed to improve job satisfaction. Methods. This survey of female members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncolo gists and fellows addressed demographics, timing of childbearing, type and cost of childcare, satisfaction with childcare choices, and mentorship. Tho se without children were queried about plans and reservations. Open-ended q uestions investigated how female gynecologic oncologists felt job satisfact ion could be improved. Results. A total of 65/110 (59%) attendings and 18/36 (50%) fellows respond ed. Three-fourths of respondents felt that the ideal time to have children was postfellowship. Timing of childbearing caused moderate to severe stress in the personal relationships of 23% of respondents. Median maternity leav e was 6 weeks (1-120 days). Seventy-eight percent of female gynecologic onc ologists with children employed a nanny. Over half of the respondents estim ated weekly childcare cost at over $400. A successful balance between famil y and full-time practice was the most commonly cited quality of an ideal me ntor. Sixty-six percent of the respondents replied to open-ended questions with narrative answers, revealing three major areas for improvement: childc are issues, increased flexibility in hours and duties (clinical, surgical, and research), and the need for more female mentoring. Conclusions. This survey highlighted the concerns of female gynecologic onc ologists about achieving a successful balance between family and profession al duties, It also revealed the ways in which women have responded and iden tified other issues that may be targeted to improve job satisfaction. (C) 2 000 Academic Press.