Celina M Yong1, Freddy Abnousi2, Anne K Rzeszut3, Pamela S Douglas4, Robert A Harrington5, Roxana Mehran6, Cindy Grines7, S Elissa Altin8, Claire S Duvernoy9. 1. VA Palo Alto Medical Center, Palo Alto, California; Department of Medicine, Stanford University and Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, California. Electronic address: cyong@stanford.edu. 2. Department of Medicine, Stanford University and Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, California; Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut. 3. American College of Cardiology, Washington, DC. 4. Duke Clinical Research Institute and Division of Cardiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina. 5. Department of Medicine, Stanford University and Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, California. 6. The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York. 7. Northwell Health, Zucker Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, Manhasset, New York. 8. Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut. 9. VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System/University of Michigan, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to determine the factors that influence fellows-in-training (FITs) to pursue a career in interventional cardiology (IC) and how these differ by sex. BACKGROUND: Despite increases in the proportion of women across numerous medical and surgical specialties over the last decade, IC still ranks at the bottom in terms of representation of women. It is unclear why this maldistribution persists. METHODS: An online survey of cardiovascular FITs was conducted under the direction of the American College of Cardiology Women in Cardiology Leadership Council to assess FIT perspectives regarding subspecialty choices. RESULTS: Of 574 respondents, 33% anticipated specializing in IC. Men were more likely to choose IC than women (39% men, 17% women, odds ratio: 3.98 [95% confidence interval: 2.38 to 6.68]; p < 0.001). Men were more likely to be married (p = 0.005) and have children (p = 0.002). Among married FITs, male IC FITs were more likely to have spouses who do not work (p = 0.003). Although men were more likely to be influenced by positive attributes to pursue IC, women were significantly more likely to be influenced negatively against pursuing the field by attributes including greater interest in another field (p = 0.001), little job flexibility (p = 0.02), physically demanding nature of job (p = 0.004), radiation during childbearing (p < 0.001), "old boys' club" culture (p < 0.001), lack of female role models (p < 0.001), and sex discrimination (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Many factors uniquely dissuade women from pursuing IC compared with men, largely related to the culture of IC as a subspecialty. Targeted resolution of these specific factors may provide the most impact in reducing sex imbalances in the field.
OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to determine the factors that influence fellows-in-training (FITs) to pursue a career in interventional cardiology (IC) and how these differ by sex. BACKGROUND: Despite increases in the proportion of women across numerous medical and surgical specialties over the last decade, IC still ranks at the bottom in terms of representation of women. It is unclear why this maldistribution persists. METHODS: An online survey of cardiovascular FITs was conducted under the direction of the American College of Cardiology Women in Cardiology Leadership Council to assess FIT perspectives regarding subspecialty choices. RESULTS: Of 574 respondents, 33% anticipated specializing in IC. Men were more likely to choose IC than women (39% men, 17% women, odds ratio: 3.98 [95% confidence interval: 2.38 to 6.68]; p < 0.001). Men were more likely to be married (p = 0.005) and have children (p = 0.002). Among married FITs, male IC FITs were more likely to have spouses who do not work (p = 0.003). Although men were more likely to be influenced by positive attributes to pursue IC, women were significantly more likely to be influenced negatively against pursuing the field by attributes including greater interest in another field (p = 0.001), little job flexibility (p = 0.02), physically demanding nature of job (p = 0.004), radiation during childbearing (p < 0.001), "old boys' club" culture (p < 0.001), lack of female role models (p < 0.001), and sex discrimination (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Many factors uniquely dissuade women from pursuing IC compared with men, largely related to the culture of IC as a subspecialty. Targeted resolution of these specific factors may provide the most impact in reducing sex imbalances in the field.
Authors: Jessica X Yu; Tyler M Berzin; Brintha Enestvedt; Michelle A Anderson; Violeta B Popov; Christopher C Thompson; Allison R Schulman Journal: Endosc Int Open Date: 2021-02-18
Authors: Michelle Keir; Chanda McFadden; Shannon Ruzycki; Sarah Weeks; Michael Slawnych; R Scott McClure; Vikas Kuriachan; Paul Fedak; Carlos Morillo Journal: CJC Open Date: 2021-09-28
Authors: Neha V Chandra; Ruth Hsiao; Hilary Shapiro; Sarah Snow; Katie Truong; Shire Beach; Sherry-Ann Brown; Marcella A Calfon Press; Martha Gulati; Tamara B Horwich; Gina P Lundberg; Erin D Michos; Purvi Parwani; Ritu Thamman; Karol E Watson; Janet K Han Journal: J Am Heart Assoc Date: 2021-02-23 Impact factor: 5.501