New Study: Women Physicians Face Major Hurdles on Pumping at Work

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

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25th Council session information coming soon.

New Study: Women Physicians Face Major Hurdles on Pumping at Work

Feb 1, 2022, 08:01 AM by MSDC Staff

Physicians who need to pump breast milk at work face major hurdles to doing so, according to a new study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

As if being a woman in medicine was not a struggle already, new research shows women in medicine who need to pump breast milk face especially daunting challenges.

A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine looks at the difficulties facing women who pump at work. The study surveyed over 700 physician mothers via the American Medical Women's Association outreach lists and social media. All surveyed women had conceived or adopted their first child after medical school.

Survey results showed alarming statistics:

40% of trainees reported difficulties accessing adequate facilities or time for pumping
34.5% of trainees and 23.7% of attendings reported experiencing discrimination due to the need to pump
72% of respondents rated "protected locations for nursing/pumping breast milk" as extremely important

See the study here.

The authors identified four medical cultures they believe should change (see Tweet thread here):

Creating an office culture supportive of pumping
Setting aside protected time for pumping
Ensuring pumping space is hygienic and near work areas
Complying with legal requirements and ensuring financial parity

Join the MSDC Women in Medicine Section to discuss this and other realities of being a woman in medicine at our event February 3 to celebrate National Women Physician Day. Learn more and register here.

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.