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Ten Recommendations to Enhance Recruitment, Retention and Career Advancement of Women Cardiologists

ARTICLE: Ten Recommendations to Enhance Recruitment, Retention and Career Advancement of Women Cardiologists

AUTHORS: Garima Sharma, Amy A. Sarma, Mary Norine Walsh, Sharonne N. Hayes, Sheila Sahni, Sherry-Ann Brown, Toniya Singh, Robert A. Harrington, Pamela S. Douglas, Claire S. Duvernoy and for the American College of Cardiology Women in Cardiology Leadership Council and Diversity and Inclusion Task Force

JOURNAL: JACC. 2019 Oct; 74(14). DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2019.08.016

Women are markedly underrepresented in cardiology relative to the rest of medicine despite nearly equal representation with men in internal medicine residency programs. Recently, efforts are being made to address gender inequities in compensation, career advancement, and other workforce disparities in cardiology (2,3). Women internal medicine residents are more likely to turn away from cardiology as a subspecialty because of perceived negative factors (including excessive duration of training, desire for a less competitive environment, absence of supportive mentors, and limited ability to work part time) rather than being attracted to the field as are men (4). A majority of women cardiologists express similar concerns regarding time constraints, work-life balance, pregnancy outcomes in the contest of demanding work hours, and occupational radiation exposure (5). Creating an environment that provides equitable advancement opportunities and prevents attrition of all highly skilled cardiologists will undoubtedly benefit programs as well as patients. The following are recommendations to promote inclusivity and improve the professional lives of men and women in cardiology.

For a link to the full article, click here.

American College of Cardiology article: Paper Addresses Urgent Need For Advancement of Women in Cardiology

 

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Kelsey Bennett