Occupational Radiation Exposure During Pregnancy: A Survey of Urologists on Perception, Experience, and Practice Patterns.

Introduction The field of urology is predominantly male, although now has an increasing number of women in the workforce. Peak reproductive years frequently overlap with residency training and early attending career timelines. Exposure to ionizing radiation is a common occupational hazard in many procedural specialties. Other specialties that use radiation, such as interventional cardiology and interventional radiology, have shown little adjustments in practice patterns and no adverse outcomes amongst pregnant physicians in their fields in the setting of appropriate radiation safety measures. However, the impact of radiation exposure during pregnancy for urologists is largely unknown. Our objective was to determine attitudes and practices of urologists related to radiation exposure, and to characterize the experience of urologists who have previously been pregnant. Methods An anonymous online survey was distributed through relevant society membership bases, which included the Endourological Society and the Society for Women in Urology, and social media. Demographics, practice patterns, and changes to practice patterns were recorded for respondents. Statistical analysis was performed in R studio. Results There were 384 respondents, 255 of whom identified as women. Of these, 164 had been previously pregnant. Female respondents were younger, completed training more recently, and were more likely to have adjusted their caseload due to radiation concerns compared to their male counterparts. Of women who had been pregnant, few had access to policies for who to notify (19%), policies for safety precautions (22%), custom-fitted lead (35%), and maternity lead (20%). Most women (66%) relied on their own research for guidance on radiation safety during pregnancy, while some (41%) also used information from colleagues or mentors. 46% of women would have taken greater precautions during pregnancy than they did. Conclusions Access to proper tools to safely navigate pregnancy is inconsistent amongst practicing urologists. Evidence-based guidelines are needed to better empower pregnant urologists.