SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Post-Partum Practice Improvement

Pdf Summary

This document describes a postpartum practice improvement initiative in the University of Minnesota Division of Hospital Medicine designed to support lactating physicians and trainees. The project responds to changing demographics in medicine, noting that women now make up more than half of U.S. medical school graduates, and to wellbeing concerns, including elevated suicide risk and burnout among female physicians in the postpartum period.<br /><br />The initiative created a multidisciplinary support model focused on three areas: time accommodations, physical accommodations, and emotional/administrative support. Time protections include 30 minutes for pumping every 3–4 hours, exclusion from night shifts for six months, and from solo-provider shifts for one year, plus preferential scheduling on lower-census services. Physical support includes designated lactation space and access to equipment. Administrative support includes informing providers about lactation policies at orientation and pre-/post-parental leave meetings, mentoring and peer support, centralized online resources, and restructuring incentive pay so pumping does not create financial penalty.<br /><br />The division also advocated for broader institutional changes, such as comprehensive lactation benefits, direct breastfeeding at work when possible, on-site lactation consultants, and protected time and space during interviews, exams, and conferences.<br /><br />Implemented in June 2020, the guidelines influenced the department’s official lactation policy and were adopted by regional health systems. Early outcomes included increased awareness and advocacy, use by nine individuals in FY21–FY22, and an average incentive increase of $2,538 for providers using accommodations. The project concludes that ongoing evaluation is needed to measure effects on provider wellness and identify remaining barriers.

Asset Subtitle

Benjamin T. Webber

Meta Tag

Author List Adriana Dhawan, Benjamin T. Webber, Brian Muthyala, Briar L. Duffy, Claire E. Bourgeois, Ellen A. Overson, Jessica Hane, Kate Brekke, Kathleen Lane, Kristina Krohn, Mary E. Logeais, Michael Sundberg, Mikaela A. Robertson, Molly F. Wyman, Mung Ting Yu

Category Innovations

Concept Lactation

Concept Time Accommodation

Concept Pumping Break

Concept Delivery

Concept Academic Medicine

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN

Presenting Author Benjamin T. Webber

Track Other

Keywords

postpartum support

lactating physicians

physician wellbeing

burnout prevention

lactation accommodations

time protections

multidisciplinary support

hospital medicine

parental leave policy

workplace lactation benefits

Lactation

Time Accommodation

Pumping Break

Delivery

Academic Medicine