Parenting in Medicine, Part 1 – A Conversation with Dr. Brindha Bhavan

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. Brindha Bhavan

Production Assistants: Clara Baek, Ann Truong

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand differences in fertility and family planning between physicians and non-physicians outside of the medical field.
2. Understand different methods of fertility planning and preservation.
3. List the benefits and limitations of egg/embryo freezing.
4. Know the time and financial considerations of fertility preservation.

[00:00-00:31] Introduction to The DEI Shift Podcast

[00:31-01:33] Meet Dr. Brinda Bhavan

• Host Dr. Pooja Jaeel welcomes Dr. Brindha Bhavan, a clinical assistant professor in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
• Dr. Bhavan shares her multicultural upbringing and how it shaped her perspective on cultural humility.

[01:34-05:03] Step in Your Shoes: Dr. Bhavan's Multicultural Upbringing

• Dr. Bhavan describes her diverse childhood experiences, going to a Greek Orthodox school, having neighbors of different religions, and attending a large public high school with a multicultural friend group.
• This exposure to various cultures prepared her to better understand and care for patients from diverse backgrounds.

[05:04-11:41] Challenges in Family Planning for Medical Professionals

• Medical professionals face unique challenges in family planning due to: Loan burden and financial limitations, Demanding schedules with limited time for personal life, Uprooting lives due to training requirements, Age impacting fertility, particularly for women
• Data suggests infertility rates are twice as high among medical professionals compared to the general population.

[11:42-18:20] Fertility Preservation Methods Explained

• The two main methods are egg freezing and embryo freezing.
  • Egg freezing is suitable for those unsure about a partner or sperm choice.
  • Embryo freezing involves fertilization, blastocyst development, and optional genetic testing.
• Costs vary; egg freezing is generally cheaper than embryo freezing.
• Benefits and limitations of each method should be discussed with a doctor.

[18:21-27:10] Navigating Medical Training and Fertility Treatments

• Calls to action exist to increase awareness about fertility preservation among medical professionals.
• Options for family building include adoption, fostering, and assisted reproductive technologies.
• Understanding the biological differences between men and women regarding egg and sperm production is crucial.
• Women have a limited window for optimal egg quality and quantity.
• Men have ongoing sperm production with minimal decline until later in life.

[27:11-30:27] Political Landscape and Advocacy in Reproductive Health

• The Dobbs decision and its impact on personhood assigned to embryos create anxieties for some patients.
• Patients facing relocation may need to consider the legal landscape regarding embryos in different states.

[30:28-31:28] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

• There's no perfect age for fertility preservation; it's an individual decision.
• Early discussion with an OB/GYN or Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist is recommended.
• Balancing demanding training schedules with fertility procedures can be challenging.
• Advocating for flexibility and support from training program leadership is crucial.

[31:29-33:24] Outro and Credits

Credits:

Guest: Dr. Brindha Bhavan

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. Dirk Gaines

Managing Producer: Joanna Jain

Production Assistants: Clara Baek, Ann Truong

Website/Art Design: Ann Truong

Music: Chris Dingman https://www.chrisdingman.com

Resources

Bakkensen JB, Smith KS, Cheung EO, Moreno PI, Goldman KN, Lawson AK, Feinberg EC. Childbearing, Infertility, and Career Trajectories Among Women in Medicine. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Jul 3;6(7):e2326192. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.26192. PMID: 37498595; PMCID: PMC10375303.

Lee A, Kuczmarska-Haas A, Dalwadi SM, Gillespie EF, Ludwig MS, Holliday EB, Chino F. Family Planning, Fertility, and Career Decisions Among Female Oncologists. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Oct 3;5(10):e2237558. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.37558. PMID: 36315148; PMCID: PMC9623435.

Lucidi RS. Abdominal pain and distension seven days after egg retrieval for planned IVF. In: Chelmow D, Isaacs CR, Carroll A, eds. Acute Care and Emergency Gynecology: A Case-Based Approach. Cambridge University Press; 2014:187-189.

Contributors

Brindha Bhavan, MD, MS - Faculty

Pooja Jaeel, MD, ACP Member –  Co- executive producer, Co-host

Maggie Kozman, MD, ACP Member – Co-executive producer

Tammy Lin, MD, MPH, FACP – Executive Producer

DJ Gaines, MD – Senior Producer, Co-host

Ann Truong – Production Assistant

Clara Baek – Production Assistant

Reviewers

Tiffany Leung, MD, MPH, FACP

Tammy Lin, MD, MPH, FACP

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. 

Release Date:  April 29, 2025

Expiration Date: April 28, 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.