The State of Racial and Gender Diversity in Cardiothoracic Surgery Training

Zhu, Clara; McCloskey, Dana; Sandilos, Georgianna; Zilberman, Brian; Crudeli, Connor; Hunter, Krystal; Mitchell, Tovah; Burg, Jennifer M.; Shersher, David D.

doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2022.02.083

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…The lack of diversity among cardiothoracic surgical traineesand specifically, the underrepresentation of minorities and womencontinues to be a key challenge. 3,4,5 Because the integrated pathway pushes the decision to become a cardiothoracic surgeon earlier in training, early and diverse exposure to cardiothoracic surgery is vital to promote a well-balanced workforce that is truly representative of the patients that we serve. We instituted our survey to assess the impact of our shadowing programme on interest in cardiothoracic surgery, as well as medicine as a whole.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3 While efforts to improve diversity among applicants have helped, disparities persist, especially among female applicants. 4,5 Shadowing is an important part of the education of a premedical undergraduate student to gain the insights required to be a well-rounded applicant, and shadowing is one of the criteria for selection to medical school. 6 A congenital cardiac surgery shadowing programme for undergraduate students was implemented at University of Florida Congenital Heart Center.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Never too early: the impact of a shadowing programme in paediatric and congenital cardiac surgery for undergraduate college students

et al. 2023

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Purpose:Diversification of the medical and cardiothoracic surgical workforce represents an ongoing need. A congenital cardiac surgery shadowing programme for undergraduate students was implemented at the University of Florida Congenital Heart Center.Methods:Students shadowing in the Congenital Heart Center from 17 December 2020 through 20 July 2021 were sent a survey through Qualtrics to evaluate the impact of their shadowing experience. The main objectives of the survey were to determine the personal relationship(s) of the students to physicians prior to shadowing, how the presence or absence of physicians in the family of a given student related to the exposure of the student to a medical setting prior to shadowing, and the interest of the students in medicine and cardiothoracic surgery prior to and after the shadowing experience. Survey responses included “Yes/No” questions, scaled responses using a Likert scale, selection lists, and free text responses. When applicable, t-tests were utilised to assess differences between student groups.Results:Of the 37 students who shadowed during the study period, 26 (70%) responded. Most students were female (58%, n = 15), and the mean age was 20.9 ± 2.4 years. Students spent a mean duration of 95 ± 138 hours shadowing providers as part of the shadowing programme. Likert scale ratings of interest in the professions of medicine, surgery, and cardiothoracic surgery all increased after the shadowing experience (p < 0.01). Students with a family member in medicine had more clinical exposure prior to the shadowing programme (p < 0.01).Conclusion:A surgical shadowing programme at a Congenital Heart Center may have an important formative impact on the views of undergraduate students regarding potential careers in surgery and medicine. Additionally, students without family members in medicine tend to have less prior exposure to medicine and could likely benefit more from this type of shadowing programme.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Never too early: the impact of a shadowing programme in paediatric and congenital cardiac surgery for undergraduate college students

et al. 2023

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“…In the United States, underrepresented minorities increased in proportion within integrated residencies, except for cardiothoracic (CT) fellowships. Further, an increase in women applicants for integrated residencies and CT fellowships did not translate to an increase among matched trainees [9 ▪▪ ]. In Canada, although the proportion of women applying to cardiac surgery residencies increased from 14% to 47% from 1998 to 2020, the number of women cardiac surgeons remained low [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

2023 Update on equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canadian cardiac surgery

Elfaki,

Groenewoud,

Nwakoby

et al. 2023

Current Opinion in Cardiology

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Purpose of review Despite efforts to diversify the medical field, cardiac surgery remains amongst the least diverse specialties. Specifically, the percentage of women and racial minorities has remained low in past few decades. This may impact prospective trainee recruitment and surgical care. This paper highlights recent efforts that aim to promote diversity and inclusion of the Canadian cardiac surgical workforce. Recent findings Formal programs have been established to support students at different stages of training. In 2022, the Canadian Society for Cardiac Surgery has released an equity, diversity, and inclusion statement to summarize the current state and the strategic goals to accomplish a more just working environment. At the local level, the University of Toronto Next Surgeon high school pilot program, provided low-income, women, and racial minority students mentorship and experiential exposure to our field. Also, the University of Toronto, scholarships funded summer research with cardiac surgeons for women, as well as Black and Indigenous medical students. Summary Tangible efforts that target high school, undergraduate, and medical students are underway to promote equity and diversity of cardiac surgeons in Canada. Future studies that evaluate the gaps and identify bottlenecks could better guide interventions at institutions across the country.

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“…Furthermore, there are other issues at stake. Cardiothoracic surgery is one of the least diverse specialties in terms of racial and gender inclusion and equality 9 . A report by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Workforce on Diversity and Inclusion highlighted the relevance of diversity and equality to optimal patient outcomes and care 10 .…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Cardiothoracic surgery is one of the least diverse specialties in terms of racial and gender inclusion and equality. 9 A report by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Workforce on Diversity and Inclusion highlighted the relevance of diversity and equality to optimal patient outcomes and care. 10 Cultivating this statement and mirroring it to current calls for diversified and equal surgical practice is the under-representation of ethnic minorities in our specialty.…”

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confidence: 99%

Cardiothoracic surgery leadership and learning are indispensable to each other

Bashir

Jubouri

Chen

et al. 2022

Journal of Cardiac Surgery

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Cardiothoracic surgery is facing a multitude of challenges in leadership and training on the global scale, these being a complex and aging patient population, shortage of cardiac surgeons, diminishing student interest and trainee enthusiasm, increasingly challenging training obstacles and work‐life imbalances, suboptimal job prospects, reports of discrimination and bullying and lack of diversity as well as gap between innovation and technology, clinical application, and training of future surgeons. The survival of cardiac surgery hinges on the leadership attracting and retaining young surgeons into the specialty. Mentoring, leading through example, recognizing the work‐life imbalances, adapting to diverse and modern training models and embracing diversity with respect to gender and race, will ultimately be required to create and cultivate a nurturing environment of training and preparing future leaders. The vision for training future generations of cardiothoracic surgeons must rely heavily on strengthening the unity of the heart team. In doing so we can provide the best possible care for our patients and a most fulfilling career for the future generation of cardiac surgeons.

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The State of Racial and Gender Diversity in Cardiothoracic Surgery Training

Cited by 11 publications

References 22 publications

Never too early: the impact of a shadowing programme in paediatric and congenital cardiac surgery for undergraduate college students

Never too early: the impact of a shadowing programme in paediatric and congenital cardiac surgery for undergraduate college students

2023 Update on equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canadian cardiac surgery

Cardiothoracic surgery leadership and learning are indispensable to each other

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