Is the field of cardiology empowering or stifling? Cardiologists share their perspective
Cardiologists have widely differing opinions about cardiology’s professional climate, according to a new survey published in JACC: Advances.[1] Some cardiologists feel the specialty is already inclusive and nothing needs to change, and others feel it is both “stifling” and “exclusionary.”
“Fully understanding the lived experiences of cardiologists and trainees is essential to ensure workforce well-being and optimize patient care and outcomes,” wrote first author Kevin L. Thomas, MD, a professor of cardiology and vice dean of culture, engagement and impact at the Duke University School of Medicine, and colleagues.
Thomas et al. surveyed more than 1,800 cardiologists from all career stages. Each cardiologist was asked a series of specific questions about their perceptions of the field’s professional climate. While 72% of respondents were men, 53% were white. More than 1,500 of respondents answered all statements required to be included in the final study population.
The group then used the survey responses to establish four different respondent profiles. For example, 29% of respondents fell into Profile A. These cardiologists believe the field has an “empowering, inclusive culture” and no changes are needed. Meanwhile, 33% of respondents fell into Profile B. These cardiologists believe the field has an “empowering, inclusive culture,” but some changes are still needed to make it even better. Another 19% of respondents fell into Profile C. These cardiologists believe the field has a “stifling, exclusionary culture” and are unsure about what changes may be needed. The final 18% fell into Profile D. These cardiologists believe the field has a “stifling, exclusionary” culture and they are certain that major changes are necessary.
Looking closer at the survey’s findings, 25% of respondents said they had never experienced mistreatment, 45% said they had experienced mistreatment, 23% said they had experienced discrimination, 19% said they had experienced emotional or physical harassment and 10% said they had experienced sexual harassment.
In addition, 24% of respondents said they have experienced feelings of burnout, and 25% said they have experienced symptoms of depression.
Another key finding was the fact that 70% of respondents said cardiology could benefit from being more diverse. However, opinions varied when it came to determining just how big of an issue this is.
“There were significant and sometimes dramatic variations across profiles in virtually all perceptions of statements related to workforce diversity and the need for an inclusive environment,” the authors wrote. “Similarly, impressions of the prevalence of discrimination and support for efforts to reduce racism and sexism varied widely among profiles.”
For example, 80% of cardiologists with Profile A said they believe cardiology values diversity. For Profile D, it was just 2% of cardiologists who agreed with that sentiment.
“Our findings provide granular support for continued targeted interventions and are essential to enhancing the effectiveness of efforts to improve cardiovascular educational, research, and practice environments,” the authors concluded. “The inadequacy of current efforts to ‘listen’ to climate is suggested by the consensus of limited institutional effectiveness, including programs that reduce racism, sexism, uncivil behaviors, microaggressions and emotional harassment, or stress and burnout, as well as maternity and paternity leave policies. Clearly, these well-meaning workplace efforts, stimulated by a desire for a positive culture, were not widely appreciated as contributing to a positive lived experience. This is an important lesson for leadership about the need to be attentive to climate as a personal commitment may not translate into cardiologists’ positive lived experience.”
Click here to read the full analysis in JACC: Advances.
Michael has more than 19 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.