Motherhood and Veterinary School
Dr. Annie Wayne, and three other researchers from the Cummings School researchers find that women who are pregnant, raising children, or considering parenthood at U.S. veterinary training institutions may lack adequate support.
Although 80% percent of the student, intern, and resident population at veterinary institutions is made up of women in their peak reproductive years, studies from a team of researchers at the Cummings School found widespread challenges for veterinary trainees considering parenthood.
The first study, which appeared in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) in November, surveyed 2,088 veterinary students and 312 interns and residents across the country about how they perceived pregnancy and parenting support services available at their U.S. veterinary training institutions. For the second study, which will appear in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education (JVME) in early 2019, the Tufts scientists surveyed administrators from thirty U.S. accredited veterinary schools on the same topics, while also reviewing their student, intern, and resident handbooks and other relevant written policies.
BIO:
Dr. Annie Wayne is a veterinary criticalist who received her DVM//MPH dual degree from the Cummings Veterinary School at Tufts University in 2011. She and fellow researchers are studying the state of parenting support for veterinary trainees nationwide.