Sexism 'damaging heart treatment'

Only 7% of cardiac consultants are women

A lack of women in cardiology is damaging the quality of treatment and research, a report has warned.

The British Cardiac Society found only 7% of cardiac consultants and 17% of trainees were women despite more women than men studying medicine.

The report blamed sexism and the fact the demands of the specialism made it hard to balance work and family life.

Patients could suffer as talented doctors look to other specialities, the report, in the journal Heart, said.

And the report concluded: "If this is not corrected, it will prove increasingly difficult to maintain high standards of cardiological practice and research in this country."

Gender bias

In a survey of female consultant cardiologists, 43% said they had encountered gender bias at work and 46% said being a woman was detrimental to career prospects.

But despite the problems, eight in 10 said they would recommend a career as a consultant.

The society said practising consultants had to accept there was a problem before they started addressing it.

Cardiology is not alone is facing this problem which applies generally to medical specialities Sir Alexander Macara, of the National Heart Forum

It recommended more flexible working and part-time working initiatives be introduced.

And it also called for a mentoring programme to be set up to help women in the medical profession - cardiology was the most popular specialism in a survey of medical graduates.

Report co-author Professor Adam Timmis said the British Cardiac Society had approved the appointment to its council of a member to represent women's interests.

He added: "It is not only the difficulties of balancing work and family life that deter many women from entering cardiology, but also some of the attitudes that pervade this male dominated speciality."

Urgent

Sir Alexander Macara, of the National Heart Forum, said the issue needed addressing urgently.

"Cardiology is not alone is facing this problem which applies generally to medical specialities, which inevitably involve irregular hours and unpredictable demands.

"The main factor is the increasing proportion of doctors in the workforce, who for whatever reason, require control over their working hours."

And a spokeswoman for the Equal Opportunities Commission said cardiology needed to make sure women were not discriminated against.

"Part-time and flexible working still carries a stigma which particularly effects women who want to balance their caring responsibilities at home with a career.

"Britain and the cardiology profession loses out when women are placed on the 'mummy track'."