Nashwa Abdulsalam1, Anne M Gillis2, Anne K Rzeszut3, Celina M Yong4, Claire S Duvernoy5, Marie-Noelle Langan6, Kristin West7, Poonam Velagapudi8, Sena Killic9, Edward L O'Leary10. 1. Division of Cardiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. 2. Department of Cardiac Sciences, University of Calgary and Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 3. Market Intelligence, American College of Cardiology, Washington, DC, USA. 4. VA Palo Alto Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA; Department of Medicine, Stanford University and Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, California, USA. 5. VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System/University of Michigan, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. 6. Division of Cardiology, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA. 7. Member Strategy, American College of Cardiology, Washington, DC, USA. 8. Division of Cardiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA. 9. Division of Cardiology, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA. 10. Division of Cardiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Electronic address: edwardoleary@hotmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the increase in the number of female physicians across most specialties within cardiology, <10% of clinical cardiac electrophysiology (EP) fellows are women. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the factors that influence fellows-in-training (FITs) to pursue EP as a career choice and whether this differs by gender. METHODS: The authors conducted an online multiple-choice survey through the American College of Cardiology to assess the decision factors that influence FITs in the United States and Canada to pursue cardiovascular subspecialties. RESULTS: A total of 933 (30.5%) FITs completed the survey; 129 anticipated specializing in EP, 259 in interventional cardiology (IC), and 545 in a different field or were unsure. A total of 1 in 7 (14%) FITs indicated an interest in EP. Of this group, more men chose EP than women (84% vs 16%; P < 0.001). The most important factor that influenced FITs to pursue EP was a strong interest in the field. Women were more likely to be influenced by having a female role model (P = 0.001) compared with men. After excluding FITs interested in IC, women who deselected EP were more likely than men to be influenced by greater interest in another field (P = 0.004), radiation concerns (P = 0.001), lack of female role models (P = 0.001), a perceived "old boys' club" culture (P = 0.001) and discrimination/harassment concerns (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Women are more likely than men to be negatively influenced by many factors when it comes to pursuing EP as a career choice. Addressing those factors will help decrease the gender disparity in the field.
BACKGROUND: Despite the increase in the number of female physicians across most specialties within cardiology, <10% of clinical cardiac electrophysiology (EP) fellows are women. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the factors that influence fellows-in-training (FITs) to pursue EP as a career choice and whether this differs by gender. METHODS: The authors conducted an online multiple-choice survey through the American College of Cardiology to assess the decision factors that influence FITs in the United States and Canada to pursue cardiovascular subspecialties. RESULTS: A total of 933 (30.5%) FITs completed the survey; 129 anticipated specializing in EP, 259 in interventional cardiology (IC), and 545 in a different field or were unsure. A total of 1 in 7 (14%) FITs indicated an interest in EP. Of this group, more men chose EP than women (84% vs 16%; P < 0.001). The most important factor that influenced FITs to pursue EP was a strong interest in the field. Women were more likely to be influenced by having a female role model (P = 0.001) compared with men. After excluding FITs interested in IC, women who deselected EP were more likely than men to be influenced by greater interest in another field (P = 0.004), radiation concerns (P = 0.001), lack of female role models (P = 0.001), a perceived "old boys' club" culture (P = 0.001) and discrimination/harassment concerns (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Women are more likely than men to be negatively influenced by many factors when it comes to pursuing EP as a career choice. Addressing those factors will help decrease the gender disparity in the field.
Authors: Lars Eckardt; Florian Doldi; D Steven; P Sommer; Sonia Busch; David Duncker; H Estner; M Kuniss; A Metzner; C Meyer; H-R Neuberger; R Tilz; F Voss Journal: Clin Res Cardiol Date: 2022-09-06 Impact factor: 6.138