Healthcare professionals in Pakistan experience significant challenges in balancing work and caregiving, particularly among parents of young children. A study surveyed 188 healthcare workers, including physicians, nurses, and allied health staff, to examine work-interfering family guilt (WIFG) and work-family conflict (WFC). Results showed that mothers reported higher WIFG than fathers, with lack of childcare access increasing WIFG and higher parenting self-efficacy reducing it. WFC was associated with longer work hours and both parents working, while younger professionals and fathers reported lower WFC.

The findings highlight the need for institutional initiatives such as on-site childcare and flexible scheduling to alleviate WIFG and WFC among healthcare professionals in Pakistan. This study provides new insights by including both mothers and fathers, suggesting that gender-inclusive policies could enhance well-being and reduce turnover in the healthcare sector.