# Experiences of Lactation in GME: Are there Benefits Beyond the Parent and Infant?

## TL;DR

This study explores how lactation experiences among medical trainees may improve knowledge and care for lactating patients, beyond benefits to the parent and infant.

## Contribution

It is the first study to examine how exposure to lactation, either personal or through others, affects trainees' knowledge and patient care.

## Key findings

- Trainees with personal lactation experience reported increased knowledge and better care for lactating patients.
- Even without personal experience, 71% felt their lactation knowledge improved through working with lactating teammates.
- Lactation does not disrupt team dynamics and may enhance care for lactating patients.

## Abstract

Although lactating graduate medical education trainees often encounter barriers when returning to work—such as perceived challenges on clinical teams—the potential benefits arising from their lactation experiences remain understudied. In particular, no prior research has examined whether working alongside lactating trainees enhances knowledge and patient care. The purpose of this study was to assess trainee perceptions of how experiences with lactation impacted their knowledge of lactation and ability to care for lactating patients.

In 2022, all residents and fellows at a large academic medical center were eligible to participate in an anonymous electronic survey. Data analyses included chi-squared testing of lactation experiences and trainee self-perceived ability to care for lactating patients.

133/1319 (10%) of trainees representing 31 programs completed the survey. 87% of participants disagreed that they felt uncomfortable about a co-resident pumping in their presence. Personal experience with lactation was associated with perceived increase in knowledge of lactation (p = 0.012) as well as perceived ability to better care for a lactating patient (p < 0.001) when compared with no experience with lactation, or experience through others. Among those without personal lactation experience, 71% felt their knowledge of lactation improved and 42% believed their ability to care for lactating patients was better due to their experiences working with lactating teammates.

Lactation does not disrupt other residents on the team and may positively impact the care of lactating patients. The benefits of lactation may extend beyond the lactating parent and their infant.

What is already known about this subject?

What this study adds?

Lactating graduate medical education trainees have significant challenges on returning to work, including safe and clean conditions to pump and impact of pumping on patient care, medical education, and perceived team dynamics.

A previous study showed that co-residents do not perceive their lactating colleagues to be disruptive to the team. This study explores perceptions on whether experiences with lactation, either personal or through someone else, improves knowledge and patient care. We found that many trainees reported improvement in knowledge and care of lactating patients after being exposed to lactation, with those with personal experience to most likely report these improvements.