Improving well-being among women in neonatology

Diana Yanni; Annette Scheid; Cynthia B Sinha; Kara Wong Ramsey; Bridget Hempel; Dena Hubbard; Mariann Pappagallo; Laura Vargas; Sharada Gowda; Renate Savich; Christiane Dammann; Shilpa Vyas-Read

doi:10.1038/s41372-024-02091-2

Improving well-being among women in neonatology

J Perinatol. 2024 Aug 30. doi: 10.1038/s41372-024-02091-2. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA.
² Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
³ Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
⁴ Johns A Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA.
⁵ Norton Children's Medical Group, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
⁶ University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA.
⁷ University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA.
⁸ Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA.
⁹ Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
¹⁰ University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
¹¹ Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
¹² Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. svyasre@gmail.com.

PMID: 39215194
DOI: 10.1038/s41372-024-02091-2

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the factors that improve professional and personal well-being amongst women in neonatology (WiN).

Study design: A 30-question survey of multiple choice, rank order, and open-ended questions focused on professional and personal factors that affect the well-being of WiN members. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to determine leading factors and themes.

Results: Of 326 respondents, 64% felt "well" professionally over half of the time. Professional well-being was most affected by scheduling flexibility, helping patients, administrative and staffing support, feelings of being valued, and clinical workload/acuity. Time for family and self-care, having domestic help, and scheduling flexibility were factors that most positively impacted personal well-being.

Conclusion: In this national survey, WiN members identified the factors that can improve their well-being. Strategic planning and targeted interventions are urgently needed to enhance work-life integration and job satisfaction, leading to improved neonatal workforce retention and improved quality of patient care.