Women in Academic Urology: A Qualitative Analysis of the Relationship Between Pregnancy, Parenting, and Delayed Promotion

Objective To determine the role that the burden of childbearing, including pregnancy and maternity leave, plays in academic promotion for women in urology, which has been shown to be delayed as compared to their male counterparts. Methods Female academic urologists of varying academic rank who have children were invited to participate in a semistructured interview. A representative sample from multiple subspecialties and geographic locations were targeted. Topics addressed included pregnancy, maternity leave, parenting, and promotion in academic urology. Transcripts of the interview were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Results Eleven participants were interviewed, including 3 assistant, 5 associate, and 3 full professors. The majority of participants chose to time pregnancy with training either during less strenuous portions or avoiding residency altogether. Nearly half endorsed self-inflicted hardships during pregnancy or early postpartum to prevent inconveniencing colleagues or to "pull their weight" in accordance with surgical culture. Outsourcing of childcare and household duties, along with spousal support, were discussed as contributing to success. Lack of transparency for promotional criteria was identified as a significant obstacle to promotion. Sponsorship and self-motivated information gathering were identified as critical components to success in promotion. Conclusion A culture of support created by administration and colleagues is critical for a positive experience with childbearing, and return to clinical practice or training postpartum. Explicit promotional criteria that are accessible in early career development and sponsorship from members of the academic department or subspecialty community are crucial for all urologists, but for women in particular.