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. 2025 May;45(5):580-588.
doi: 10.1038/s41372-024-02091-2. Epub 2024 Aug 30.

Improving well-being among women in neonatology

Diana Yanni  1 , Annette Scheid  2 , Cynthia B Sinha  3 , Kara Wong Ramsey  4 , Bridget Hempel  5 , Dena Hubbard  6 , Mariann Pappagallo  7 , Laura Vargas  8 , Sharada Gowda  9 , Renate Savich  10 , Christiane Dammann  11 , Shilpa Vyas-Read  12
Affiliations

Improving well-being among women in neonatology

Diana Yanni et al. J Perinatol. 2025 May.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the factors that improve professional and personal well-being amongst women in neonatology (WiN).

Study design: A 30-question survey of multiple choice, rank order, and open-ended questions focused on professional and personal factors that affect the well-being of WiN members. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to determine leading factors and themes.

Results: Of 326 respondents, 64% felt "well" professionally over half of the time. Professional well-being was most affected by scheduling flexibility, helping patients, administrative and staffing support, feelings of being valued, and clinical workload/acuity. Time for family and self-care, having domestic help, and scheduling flexibility were factors that most positively impacted personal well-being.

Conclusion: In this national survey, WiN members identified the factors that can improve their well-being. Strategic planning and targeted interventions are urgently needed to enhance work-life integration and job satisfaction, leading to improved neonatal workforce retention and improved quality of patient care.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study was reviewed by the Institutional Review Board at Emory University. It was deemed exempt using the criteria for exemption under 45 CFR 46.104(d)(2)(i) Tests, surveys, interviews, or observation (non-identifiable).

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