Fertility preservation and infertility treatment in female surgical trainees in Alberta: A survey of trainee knowledge, attitudes, and needs

Sylvie Bowden; Selphee Tang; Amy Metcalfe; Shu Foong

doi:10.1016/j.jogc.2024.102731

Fertility preservation and infertility treatment in female surgical trainees in Alberta: A survey of trainee knowledge, attitudes, and needs

J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2024 Nov 28:102731. doi: 10.1016/j.jogc.2024.102731. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Sylvie Bowden¹, Selphee Tang², Amy Metcalfe², Shu Foong²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: sylvie.bowden@ucalgary.ca.
² Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

PMID: 39615624
DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2024.102731

Abstract

Objective: To describe fertility knowledge and views on family planning and fertility preservation/treatment among female surgical trainees in Alberta.

Methods: A voluntary, anonymous online survey was sent to surgical program coordinators in Alberta to forward to their respective trainees. Participants included surgical trainees from cardiac surgery, general surgery, neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, plastics, urology, and vascular surgery. Questions assessed demographics, fertility knowledge, reproductive history, family planning views, and attitudes towards fertility preservation/treatment. The primary outcome was the needs of trainees regarding fertility preservation/treatment. Secondary outcomes included fertility knowledge, reproductive history, family planning views, and attitudes towards fertility preservation/treatment.

Results: The survey had a 71.8% response rate, with 125 responses analyzed. The median score for fertility knowledge was 3/6. Most trainees (84.8%) were childless, with 68.0% citing career impact as a significant factor in delaying childbearing. Career aspirations, training duration, and long work hours were identified as top factors impacting family planning. Only 3.2% had undergone oocyte cryopreservation, while 48.0% had considered it. Awareness of oocyte cryopreservation options and insurance coverage was low. 57.6% of trainees had received no counseling about family planning during their training.

Conclusion: Female surgical trainees in Alberta face significant fertility concerns, exacerbated by gaps in fertility knowledge and career demands delaying childbearing. There is strong interest in fertility preservation, but barriers include lack of awareness, financial constraints, and inadequate counseling. Enhanced education, counseling, insurance coverage, and supportive policies are needed to support trainees' reproductive and career goals.

Keywords: Fertility preservation; delayed childbearing; family planning; fertility agents; residency; surgeons.