In 2021, AMWA’s Physician Fertility Working Group launched the SPACE (Study of Physicians And Children: Expectations and Experiences) Study to better understand the impact of infertility on physicians. A series of papers from analysis of this data have been published:
- The Impact of COVID-19 on Family Building Among Physicians and Trainees
- Abortion Among Physicians
- Psychosocial burdens associated with family building among physicians and medical students
- Barriers to family building among physicians and medical students
Costs of Family Building for Physicians and Medical Students
This study found that 19.3% of all participants used Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), 1.9% pursued adoption, and 0.9% persued gestational carrier pregnancies. The physicians and medical students incurred substantial costs, some spending over $140,000. Stigma associated with childbearing among trainees was found to be a major deterrent to family building, with many respondents expressing concerns about faculty and residents’ views as well as the lack of clear policies and resources to support family building.
This study highlights the importance of developing policies to support family building for physicians and trainees. Ongoing advocacy and awareness raising continue to be important within the health professions. To get involved in AMWA’s work, join the Physician Fertility Working Group.