Barriers to pregnancy and parenthood during urology residency across Europe
Background: There is no information regarding challenges faced by European urology residents in starting a family. The aim of this study was to examine pregnancy and parenting experiences and policies during urology residency, identify regulatory gaps and provide recommendations for standardized European guidelines. Methods: A cross-sectional English-language electronic survey targeted urology residents and young urologists across Europe. The 44-item, self-administered survey was pilot-tested and iteratively revised with European Society of Residents in Urology (ESRU) board members. Data were collected between August and October 2024 from ESRU, the European Association of Urology (EAU) and the European School of Urology (ESU) via mailing lists and social media platforms. Results: < 0.001). Across all participants, 283 (87%) and 277 (85%) supported adjusting residency working and training schedules, respectively, upon return to work to ensure the completion of residency requirements. Both male and female respondents strongly endorsed standardized European guidelines on pregnancy and parenting in urology residency. Conclusions: This survey highlights the significant barriers to family planning in European urology residency. Fear of career setbacks and training disruptions drives parenthood delays. Standardized policies are needed to support residents while maintaining training requirements and career progression during pregnancy and parenthood.
Authors
- L. Baekelandt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8962-9395)
- Enrico Checcucci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7901-5608)
- Carlos Toribio‐Vázquez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0040-8917)
- L S Mertens
- Joel S. Weissman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4990-6263)
- Carolin Siech
- Jessica Whitburn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8320-7725)
- Benjamin Pradère
- A. Goujon
- Juan Luis Vásquez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8005-3545)
- Belle M. Melsert
- Anna Gugerli Lazos
- Gaëlle Margue
- Luca Afferi
- Bhaskar K. Somani
- Evangelos Liatsikos
- Alberto Breda
- the European Society of Residents in Urology (ESRU)
- Mehmet Ozalevli
- Veronique Phé
- Erika Rangel
- Stephen Wyler (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2664-4771)
Institutions
- Goethe University Frankfurt (DE)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ES)
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- University of Zurich (CH)
- Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven (BE)
- General University Hospital of Patras (GR)
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- The Netherlands Cancer Institute (NL)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux (FR)
- Université Rennes 2 (FR)
- Sorbonne Université (FR)
- University of Oxford (GB)
- Zealand University Hospital (DK)
- Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
- University Hospital of Zurich (CH)
- Groupe Hospitalier Diaconesses Croix Saint-Simon (FR)
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi (TR)
- University Hospital Frankfurt (DE)
- See-Spital (CH)
- Puigvert Foundation (ES)
- Stadtspital Waid (CH)
- Gaziosmanpaşa Taksim Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi (TR)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute (IT)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes (FR)
- Kantonsspital Aarau (CH)
- Hôpital Tenon (FR)
- Université de Rennes (FR)
- HCL Technologies (India) (IN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BJUI Compass
- Published
- 2026-03-31
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/bco2.70181
- Primary Topic
- Diversity and Career in Medicine
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Klinische Krebsforschung