Family Planning Experiences and Challenges of Mohs Fellowship Trainees

Background: There is a paucity of literature describing family planning challenges faced by Mohs fellows.

Objective: To characterize perceptions about and experiences with family planning, fertility, lactation, and parental leave and identify ways to support parental health and family planning for Mohs fellows.

Materials and methods: A voluntary, anonymous survey was distributed to Mohs surgeons who recently completed fellowship.

Results: In total, 116 Mohs surgeons completed the survey. Their mean age was 34.5 years old, and more were female ( n = 81, 69.8%) than male ( n = 35, 30.2%). Most had children before completion of their Mohs training ( n = 73, 62.9%). The most significant barrier to having children during fellowship was "loss of education or training time." Over 20% ( n = 23) of respondents or their partner had experienced infertility. Half of the 20 respondents ( n = 10) who breastfed or pumped did not have a convenient place to do so.

Conclusion: This study elucidates trainee perceptions and gaps in parental support for Mohs fellowship trainees. In addition, barriers to implementing a universal family planning policy in Mohs surgery are discussed.