Women in Cardiology: Still Underrepresented in a Field Full of Men

JAMA Cardiology dedicated a special with 4 articles on different issues women continue to face when considering this area of expertise, or when they have already chosen this fascinating field but still feel undervalued or discriminated compared with their male colleagues.

One of the studies showed the career preferences of med school students. What trainees valued most was work-life balance, and their perception is that cardiology does not provide the right balance, not even for men, though this feeling is more common amongst women, given the salary gap, discrimination based on eventual motherhood and childcare away time, etc.

By simultaneously publishing these studies, JAMA focused on career issues that will ultimately translate into health care issues and therefore impact on patients.

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Physicians are neither robots applying guideline recommendations, nor outcomes of the latest trial on patients under a strict protocol; they are people in real life that work to heal patients in real life.

A survey on 4850 medicine trainees in 198 fellowship programs showed a clear difference in career preferences. 63% of women never even considered the possibility of a cardiology internship, vs. 37% of men.

The main factors behind this decision were the long working hours, interference with family life and prior social life, salary gap and fewer opportunities for promotion and growth, when compared to men in the same position.

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Given the global trend of growing female physicians (these days more women than men are graduating) it is vital that we identify and address the cultural and social barriers that prevent women from choosing cardiology as their area of expertise.

Women must speak up, but they shouldn’t be the only ones to stand against discrimination. Male leaders should also take on the responsibility for evolving towards a system that will value all physicians fair and square.  

Original title: Career preferences and perceptions of cardiology among US internal medicine trainees: factors influencing cardiology career choice.

Reference: Douglas PS et al. JAMA Cardiol. 2018; Epub ahead of print.

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