AAPM CHILDCARE SURVEY FOLLOW UP Kristi Hendrickson, PhD, Jean Moran, PhD, Holly Lincoln, MS, Laura Cervino, PhD, Susan Richardson, PhD, Chuck Bloch, PhD, Sonja Dieterich, PhD, Nicole Ranger, MSc and James Balter, PhD

AAPM recently surveyed its membership regarding the childcare needs of its members who attend AAPM meetings/conferences and participate in volunteer activities for the society. We received more than a thousand responses giving us important insight into opportunities for AAPM to help improve the meeting participation of its membership. Almost 60% of survey respondents have households with kids under the age of 18 years. On-site childcare emerged nthe survey results as the most popular option to facilitate an increase in member participation both as attendees at meetings as well as for the volunteer activities, such as leadership and committee membership, that also occur at major meetings. The survey revealed that many members currently tap into other sources of support for childcare in order to attend meetings, such as children staying at home (43%) and children attending meetings with the member, often under the supervision of a spouse (19%). A majority (51%) of the survey respondents were very interested or somewhat interested in onsite child care.

One of the most important findings from this survey is that 19% of all survey respondents indicated that their lack of adequate childcare support has impacted their ability to attend AAPM meetings, resulting in either their missing these conferences or attending for a shorter period that they desired. The survey found that this lack of adequate support affects the engagement and presence of both men and women at AAPM meetings. Also of note, while a third of the survey respondents indicated that they currently have no childcare needs, most added that they believe it to be a great idea for AAPM to facilitate childcare for its members.

If onsite childcare were offered at AAPM meetings, 36% indicated that they would definitely or probably would, and an additional 14% answering that they may potentially, utilize this service. Other related services deemed helpful by the survey respondents include a lactation/nursing room and wellness room, both of which are typically already provided at major AAPM meetings. Locations are indicated in meeting materials online, in the pocket program, and on the map in the registration area. AAPM staff are available to assist in accessing the rooms. In Denver this summer, the Colorado Convention Center has a dedicated "Mothers Room" in addition to a Wellness Room.

Next Steps

Several sister societies (such as the RSNA) have tackled this issue and have successfully made childcare available at their major meetings. For AAPM membership responding to the survey, the greatest demand for childcare assistance is at the Annual Meeting (84% ranked it first). Based on the survey results, a proposal is being created to potentially pilot onsite childcare for AAPM's 2018 Annual Meeting in Nashville. AAPM HQ staff have investigated the costs that would be associated with the pilot. The proposal will go through an approval process beginning with the Meeting Coordination Committee, then the Administrative Council, and finally the Executive Committee to ensure that it meets our members' needs. If successful, members will have the ability to register for childcare when they register for the meeting. Stay tuned. We are excited about this potential opportunity to improve AAPM member participation.

In the meantime, if you're looking for childcare and camp suggestions for the 2017 Annual Meeting in Denver, please search AAPM bulletin board for AAPM childcare options in Denver where members have already shared ideas, and consider joining the Medical Physics Parents Facebook group.

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