Gender Differences in the Pursuit of Cardiac Electrophysiology Training in North America

Nashwa Abdulsalam; Anne M Gillis; Anne K Rzeszut; Celina M Yong; Claire S Duvernoy; Marie-Noelle Langan; Kristin West; Poonam Velagapudi; Sena Killic; Edward L O'Leary

doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2021.06.033

Gender Differences in the Pursuit of Cardiac Electrophysiology Training in North America

J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021 Aug 31;78(9):898-909. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.06.033.

Authors

Affiliations

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.

PMID: 34446162
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.06.033

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.

Keywords: culture; discrimination; diversity; gender; training; women.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Canada
Cardiac Electrophysiology / education*
Cardiology / education*
Career Choice*
Culture*
Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac* / methods
Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac* / psychology
Female
Gender Role*
Humans
Male
Occupational Exposure / prevention & control
Physicians, Women* / psychology
Physicians, Women* / statistics & numerical data
Radiation Exposure / prevention & control
Sex Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States