Am J Psychiatry 1983; 140:902-904
Copyright © 1983 by American Psychiatric Association
Conflicts associated with physicians' pregnancies
K Franco, CL Evans, AP Best, JP Zrull and GA Pizza
The authors surveyed clinical faculty and residents in one medical school
to assess perceived stress related to working with a pregnant colleague.
The majority acknowledged stress to themselves and their departments yet
indicated that pregnancy had a humanizing effect on the work environment.
Although most felt that the pregnant physician maintained her professional
interests and efficiency, one-third reported women of childbearing age to
be a hiring risk. A higher percentage of faculty than residents favored
special considerations for pregnant physicians. The authors explore age,
sex, and departmental differences and suggest that pregnancy in a physician
generates conflicts in her colleagues.
