The collaborative study by top researchers across the country, including Dr. Feldman, asked clinician-researchers to self-report the hours per week they allocated to professional and domestic activities before the COVID-19 pandemic and the hours per week they currently allocated to these activities (post-pandemic). Here are some of the key findings:
- Individuals with a non-child dependent, academic rank, and specialty were more likely to report increased professional work hours post-pandemic
- Average post-pandemic reported domestic work hours for men was 23.1 and for women was 30.2
- 9.3% of men and 21.6% of women experienced a greater than 8-hour increase in domestic labor post-pandemic
- Women and individuals with children requiring supervision or other dependents were more likely to experience a significant increase in domestic labor post-pandemic.
“These findings really highlight the demands that women and faculty with dependents face post-pandemic,” explains Dr. Feldman. “Increased flexibility and resources are needed for this group.”
Other authors include Drs. Clare E. Jacobson, Kent A. Griffith, Chris Krenz, Rochelle D. Jones, Christina M. Cutter, Kanakadurga Singer, Kelly C. Paradis, Abigail J. Stewart, Isis H. Settles, Eve A. Kerr, Peter A. Ubel, Nancy D. Spector and Reshma Jagsi.