Merging motherhood and medicine: A qualitative study exploring barriers and enablers to motherhood among female doctors in Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To identify barriers and enablers to motherhood experienced by female doctors in Australia.

Methods

Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 18 female physician-mothers in Australia, during March and May 2020. Interview data were examined using thematic analysis to extract key themes.

Results

Six key barriers and seven key enablers were identified. Barriers (B1-6) largely reflected structural and cultural issues operating within health services and the wider medical profession. Barriers were the experience of working in medicine (B1); demands of postgraduate specialty training (B2); attitudes towards mothers in medicine (B3); gender inequality (B4); insufficient entitlements and support (B5); and competing priorities, conflicting roles (B6).

SUBMITTER: Collie E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9310336 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature