How do psych residency programs handle maternity leave?

[MissAmanda]

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I have looked into how much maternity leave a couple of programs offer. I am hoping to take maternity once or possibly twice during the six years of residency + fellowship, to have two kids. I have seen 2 weeks, 6 weeks, or 8 weeks most places of paid maternity leave with benefits.

I am wondering what is considered a generous amount of paid maternity leave, and what is considered pretty poor? Also, how do residency directors look upon those who take maternity leave? I am hoping psych is more family friendly than some of the stories I hear from residents in some other fields.

Lastly, if a program offers 2 months of paid leave, does that mean it will somehow have to be made up somewhere else before graduation (longer hours when you return) or it may delay graduation the two months you were on leave?

Note: I know there is also the FMLA (for any working person) of 12 weeks, during which you would not get paid/benefits (not asking about this).

 

[notdeadyet]

From what I've heard, maternity leave is easier to accommodate at larger programs where you have more residents to pick up the slack. I've heard stories of past residents (all were at smaller programs) where the mood in the resident class would get negative when extended maternity leave came up and other residents saw their call get more frequent.

It's a tough gig. I'd definitely ask residents about it on the interview trail. I'm married and don't have kids, so everyone seems to assume that I'm about to so it's a frequent topic brought up spontaneously. There are definitely programs that are set up to handle maternity better than others.

 

[atsai3]

From what I've heard, maternity leave is easier to accommodate at larger programs where you have more residents to pick up the slack. I've heard stories of past residents (all were at smaller programs) where the mood in the resident class would get negative when extended maternity leave came up and other residents saw their call get more frequent.

It's a tough gig. I'd definitely ask residents about it on the interview trail. I'm married and don't have kids, so everyone seems to assume that I'm about to so it's a frequent topic brought up spontaneously. There are definitely programs that are set up to handle maternity better than others.

Agree, it's easier for smaller programs to pick up the slack because the call is distributed among a larger body of residents.

That said, it's really about the espirit-du-corps and camraderie among the residents. I've seen/heard of large psychiatry programs (12+ per year) where a pregnancy causes a LOT of grumbling even if it just means each PGY3 & PGY4 has to take 0-1 extra calls over a 5 month period. I've also seen small ob/gyn programs (4-6 per year) where a pregnancy causes no grumbling even if it means the interns have to distribute the additional call just amongst themselves. This is something you can easily ask on the interview day.

-AT.

 

[MissAmanda]

Makes, sense. Thanks!

Still wondering, would it extend my hours or delay my graduation if I take 2 months away maternity leave?

Also what would you all consider generous leave from a program? 1 month? 2 months? What would you say is average?

 

[ChildPsych7]

3 months of maternity leave is what you supposed to get. Out of this 3 months, only 2 months will be paid, and this is only if you have not taken any vacation/sick/personal days during that year, of your maternity leave.

No, you will not have to pick up any extra work once you are back. You just continue where you left, like nothing happened.

Nobody wants to work extra, even if it's only 0-1 calls to be picked up by your classmates, they won't be happy about it, but it should be an administrative decision, not yours. You are also not supposed to take more call before/after your leave to make it up for the lost calls.

Do not worry about this. It should work out fine, if you are in a normal program!

 

[ChildPsych7]

Asking about this from other residents in your interviews/applicant dinners might be helpful, but I would not ask these questions from your interviewers, while trying to make a good/hard working/academics oriented impression. Responses will not necessarily correlate well with the reality as they are trying their best to recruit.

 

[nitemagi]

As for having to make it up later, it depends on the program, and when you take the leave. There are specific ACGME requirements that have to met to finish a program/be board eligible. If you took your leave during intern year, you may have to make up months of medicine, or child/adolescent in 2nd year, for example. Those are requirements, and have to be completed one way or another.

After that, most likely it comes down to the hospital policy on if it's paid or unpaid leave.