Discrimination Against Women and Underrepresented Minorities in Cardiology

Survey data highlight the need to address the toxic culture of cardiology and improve its diversity.

Every 10 years, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) conducts its Professional Life Survey, most recently administered in 2015. Using those data, investigators compared respondents' experiences of discrimination across gender and racial/ethnic groups, which included: underrepresented racial and ethnic minority (URM — defined as Black, Native American/Alaska Native or Hispanic/Latino), white, and Asian/Pacific Islander (PI).

The survey response rate was 21%. Among 2245 cardiologists (58% men) who provided racial/ethnic data, 197 were URM (80 Black, 113 Hispanic/Latino, 4 Native American/Alaska Native), 564 were Asian/PI, 1447 were white, and 37 were multiracial or other.

Career satisfaction was consistently high across racial/ethnic groups…

Reviewing Author

Karol E. Watson, MD, PhD, FACC

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBoehringer Ingelheim; Amgen; Novartis; Lilly; Amarin

Speaker’s BureauBoehringer Ingelheim

Grant/Research SupportNIH

Editorial BoardsCirculation (Associate Editor)