Family Planning Perceptions Among Residents in Orthopedic Surgery, Other Surgical Specialties, and Non-surgical Specialties: A Nationwide Survey Analysis

Background Understanding family planning perceptions among medical residents across different specialties is crucial for addressing the challenges of balancing personal and professional responsibilities. This survey aimed to evaluate how residents in orthopedic surgery (OS), non-orthopedic surgical specialties (SS), and non-surgical specialties (NSS) view the factors that help or hinder family planning and perceptions of their specialty's support for family planning. We hypothesized that NSS residents would view family planning as more manageable compared to those in OS and SS. Objective The goal of this study is to observe factors in orthopedic surgery compared to other surgical and non-surgical specialties that may influence a resident's family planning decisions during training. Methods A self-reported survey was distributed via Instagram and emailed to residents training in the United States of America, and was open to all postgraduate years and specialties. The 28-question survey assessed perceptions of family leave policies, the feasibility of starting a family during training, and factors influencing delays in family planning. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected, and a chi-squared test was used for statistical analysis. Results This survey of 202 residents across various specialties revealed that family planning support varies significantly, with surgical specialties perceiving fewer opportunities for having children compared to non-surgical specialties. Female representation amongst faculty positively influenced family planning decisions, with over half of female residents in SS and NSS reporting that it impacted their likelihood of having children during residency, suggesting a positive correlation between female faculty and family planning. Additionally, financial constraints, program culture, and the presence of nearby family were key factors influencing family planning decisions across all groups. Conclusions This study highlights significant disparities in perceived support for family planning across medical specialties, with OS and SS viewed as more challenging. The presence of female faculty positively influences female residents' decisions. These findings call for policies and resources to support residents, particularly in male-dominated fields such as orthopedic surgery.