Parenting in Medicine, Part 2 – A Conversation with Dr. Charlie Goldberg

The DEI Shift's mission is to create a podcast series on diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) in medicine that sparks discussion and provides practice-changing data and stories for a physician, student, allied health professional, and health care leader audience. Listeners will be able to gain useful information to improve their practices and environments, to gain empathy, cultural competency, and humility, and to learn more about emerging D.E.I. concepts. The DEI Shift will discuss issues related to gender, race, sexuality, religion, ability, socioeconomics, and so much more.

Co-Hosts: Dr. Pooja Jaeel, Dr. DJ Gaines

Guest: Dr. Charlie Goldberg

Production Assistants: Clara Baek, Ann Truong

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how family planning can differ between physicians and non-physicians.
2. Know the minimum standards for parental leave as outlined by the ACGME.
3. Discuss ways in which having children impacts career choice and trajectory.

[00:00-01:19] Introduction of Co-Hosts and Episode Topic

• Dr. Jaeel, a new parent, shares her challenges transitioning back to work after maternity leave, including sleep deprivation and balancing responsibilities as a physician and mother.
• Dr. Gaines, also a parent, highlights the unexpected struggles of balancing medical duties and parenting, even with prior experience managing demanding schedules during residency.
• The episode explores how parenting intersects with career development, focusing on the unique challenges faced by medical trainees and professionals.

[01:20-2:29] Introducing Guest: Dr. Charlie Goldberg

• Dr. Goldberg shares his journey from medical school at the University of Vermont to his current leadership role at University of California, San Diego.
• He discusses his initial career in urology, his decision to switch to internal medicine, and his experience as an educator and administrator.
• He highlights his passion for creating supportive environments within graduate medical education (GME).

[2:30-7:10] Parenting Trends Among Medical Trainees

• Parenting during medical training is more common now than in previous decades, with many trainees choosing to have children despite the demanding schedules.
• Dr. Goldberg attributes this trend to increased awareness of fertility challenges, reduced interest in delaying milestones, and a shift in priorities among younger trainees.
• He notes that medical training remains rigorous, yet individuals are finding ways to integrate parenting into their lives, balancing both joy and challenges.

[7:11-12:15] Delayed Childbearing Among Physicians

• Physicians often delay having children, with a median age of 32 compared to 27 in the general population.
• This delay is linked to the structured and compartmentalized nature of medical training, where individuals prioritize milestones like residency and fellowship before considering family planning.
• Peer influence also plays a role, as many trainees look to their colleagues, most of whom also delay parenting, for cues on managing life during training.

[12:16-13:46]  Parental Leave Policies and ACGME Guidelines

• In 2022, the ACGME introduced a mandate requiring programs to provide six weeks of paid parental leave, with an additional week for other leave needs.
• Programs have the flexibility to offer more leave, though resource constraints in smaller or procedural programs can make this challenging.
• Larger programs with more trainees and resources are often better equipped to provide flexibility and accommodations for extended leave.

[13:47-17:12]  Impact of Leave on Training and Career Progression

• Extended parental leave can delay board exam eligibility and graduation timelines, especially in highly procedural fields with specific case requirements.
• Larger programs with more elective time can often adjust schedules to minimize disruptions, while smaller programs face greater logistical challenges.
• Dr. Goldberg emphasizes the importance of open communication between trainees and program leadership to ensure leave planning is proactive and supportive.

[17:13-21:17] Building Supportive Environments for Parenting

• Programs that promote open dialogue and normalize conversations around family planning foster a more inclusive culture.
• Resources such as on-site daycare, lactation spaces, and additional staff support can reduce the burden on both trainees and their colleagues.
• Dr. Goldberg highlights the value of leadership teams that approach parenting as a joyful and manageable part of life rather than a challenge to be overcome.

[21:18-23:40] Parenting and Career Advancement

• Female physicians, in particular, often experience slower career progression due to the additional responsibilities of parenting.
• Systemic barriers, such as inflexible policies and traditional expectations, contribute to disparities in promotions and salary growth.
• While awareness is growing, more institutional changes are needed to create equitable opportunities for parents in medicine.

[23:41-26:39] Personal Insights from Dr. Goldberg

• Dr. Goldberg and his wife, both physicians, managed parenting by reducing work hours and coordinating schedules to prioritize family time.
• He reflects on the benefits and challenges of raising children without nearby family support, relying instead on teamwork and hired help.
• He shares the importance of balancing career ambitions with the desire to be present for his children’s milestones, even if it meant turning down certain opportunities.

[26:40-30:59] Final Advice for Trainees

• Dr. Goldberg encourages trainees to take ownership of their careers by aligning decisions with personal values and long-term goals.
• He stresses the importance of communicating openly with mentors and leaders to create opportunities that accommodate both career and parenting.
• He reminds listeners that parenting is a rewarding and joyful part of life that can coexist with a fulfilling medical career.

Credits

Guest: Dr. Charlie Goldberg

Co-Hosts: Dr. Pooja Jaeel, Dr. DJ Gaines

Executive Producer: Dr. Tammy Lin

Co-Executive Producers: Dr. Pooja Jaeel, Dr. Maggie Kozman

Senior Producer: Dr. DJ Gaines

Managing Producer: Joanna Jain

Production Assistants: Clara Baek, Ann Truong

Website/Art Design: Ann Truong

Music: Chris Dingman

Resources

• ACGME program requirements:
• Delay of Pregnancy Among Physicians vs Nonphysicians:
• Perceptions of Parenting Challenges and Career Progression Among Physician Faculty at an Academic Hospital:

Contributors

Charles Goldberg, MD, M바카라 사리트 - Faculty

Pooja Jaeel, MD, 바카라 사리트 Member –  Co- executive producer

Maggie Kozman, MD, 바카라 사리트 Member – Co-executive producer

Tammy Lin, MD, MPH, F바카라 사리트 – Executive Producer

DJ Gaines, MD – Senior Producer

Ann Truong – Production Assistant

Clara Baek – Production Assistant

Reviewers

Tiffany Leung, MD, MPH, F바카라 사리트

Tammy Lin, MD, MPH, F바카라 사리트

None of the contributors or reviewers for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.  All financial relationships have been mitigated.

Release Date:  May 7, 2025

Expiration Date: May 6, 2028

Accreditation Statements

CME Credit

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the American College of Physicians and the DEI Shift.  The American College of Physicians is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American College of Physicians designates each enduring material (podcast) for 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ABIM Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Points

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to .5 medical knowledge MOC Point in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program.  Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

How to Claim CME Credit and MOC Points

After listening to the podcast, complete a brief survey and multiple-choice question quiz.  To claim CME credit and MOC points you must achieve a minimum passing score of 66%.  You may take the quiz multiple times to achieve a passing score.