American association for women in radiology (AAWR): Official statement regarding paid family and medical leave (PFML)

Abstract

Physician well-being is essential to high-quality patient care, yet the lack of universally available paid family and medical leave (PFML) in the United States undermines this principle. The dynamic interplay between work and personal responsibilities—especially during significant life events such as childbirth, illness, or caregiving—can impact healthcare providers' mental and physical health, ultimately affecting patient outcomes. While the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides unpaid, job-protected leave, it excludes many workers and disproportionately impacts women, minorities, and low-income families. Extensive evidence shows that PFML improves maternal and child health, increases workforce retention, and supports equity in the medical profession. Medical societies, including the American College of Radiology (ACR), American Board of Radiology (ABR), and others have recognized the critical need for consistent PFML policies. In alignment with these efforts, the American Association for Women Radiologists (AAWR) recommends that departments, practices, and training programs in diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, radiation oncology, medical physics, and nuclear medicine provide a minimum of 12 weeks of paid family/medical leave within a 12-month period for attending physicians, medical physicists, and trainees. The AAWR further advocates for institutional support measures such as protected lactation time, subsidized childcare, and flexible promotion policies to ensure equitable implementation. Establishing national PFML standards across medical specialties would align healthcare systems with the principles they promote for patients, fostering a more diverse, inclusive, and resilient workforce. A multi-tiered advocacy approach—from academic departments to specialty boards offers a roadmap to achieving this longoverdue reform.