Sex differences seen in pursuit of interventional cardiology career

(HealthDay)—Unique factors dissuade female fellows-in-training from pursuing a career in interventional cardiology (IC), according to a study published online Jan. 16 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Celina M. Yong, M.D., from the VA Palo Alto Medical Center in California, and colleagues surveyed 574 cardiovascular fellows-in-training to identify factors leading to pursuit of a career in IC.

The researchers found that 33 percent of respondents anticipated specializing in IC. However, men were more likely to choose IC than women (39 percent men and 17 percent women; odds ratio, 3.98). Men were more likely to be influenced by positive attributes to pursue IC, while women were significantly more likely to be influenced negatively against pursuing the field. These negative attributes included little job flexibility, the physically demanding nature of the job, radiation exposure during childbearing, an "old boys' club" culture, lack of female role models, and gender discrimination.

"Targeted resolution of these specific factors may provide the most impact in reducing gender imbalances in the field," the authors write.