Journal-based CME Course: Providing a Safe Pregnancy Experience for Surgeons – A Review

Activity ID

13594

Expires

August 14, 2027

Format Type

Journal-based

CME Credit

1

Fee

$30

CME Provider: JAMA Surgery

Description of CME Course

Importance  Childbearing has been a particular barrier to successful recruitment and retention of women in surgery. Pregnant surgeons are more likely to have major pregnancy complications, such as preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, infertility, and miscarriage, compared with nonsurgeons. The average obstetric complication rate for surgeons ranges between 25% and 82% in the literature and is considerably higher than that in the general US population at 5% to 15%.

Observations  The risks that pregnant surgeons experience were individually analyzed. These risks included missed prenatal care; musculoskeletal hazards, such as prolonged standing, lifting, and bending; long work hours; overnight calls; exposure to teratogenic agents, such as ionizing radiation, anesthetic gases, chemotherapy agents, and methyl methacrylate; and psychological stress and discrimination from the long-standing stigma associated with balancing motherhood and professional life.

Conclusions and Relevance  A clear, translatable, and enforceable policy addressing perinatal care of surgeons was proposed, citing evidence of the risks reviewed from the literature. A framework of protection for pregnant individuals is essential for attracting talented students into surgery, retaining talented surgical trainees and faculty, and protecting pregnant surgeons and their fetuses.

Disclaimers

1. This activity is accredited by the American Medical Association.
2. This activity is free to AMA members.

Register for this Activity