Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 May 27;61(6):1390-1399.
doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezac034.

The impact of gender bias in cardiothoracic surgery in Europe: a European Society of Thoracic Surgeons and European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery survey

Cecilia Pompili  1   2 , Isabelle Opitz  3 , Leah Backhus  4 , Gunda Leschber  5 , Giulia Veronesi  6 , Olivia Lauk  3 , Nuria Novoa  7 , Niccolo' Daddi  8 , Indu Deglurkar  9 , Julie Cleuziou  10 , Anna Lena Emrich  11   12 , Francesca D'Auria  13 , Jolanda Kluin  14
Affiliations

The impact of gender bias in cardiothoracic surgery in Europe: a European Society of Thoracic Surgeons and European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery survey

Cecilia Pompili et al. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. .

Abstract

Objectives: The European Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery designed a questionnaire to assess the impact of gender bias on a cardiothoracic surgery career.

Methods: A 46-item survey investigating gender bias was designed using online survey software from December 2020 to January 2021. All European Society of Thoracic Surgeons and European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery members and non-members included in the mailing lists were invited to complete an electronic survey. Descriptive statistics and a comparison between gender groups were performed.

Results: Our overall response rate was 11.5% (1118/9764), of which 36.14% were women and 63.69% were men. Women were more likely to be younger than men (P < 0.0001). A total of 66% of the women reported having no children compared to only 19% of the men (P < 0.0001). Only 6% of women vs 22% of men were professors. More women (72%) also reported never having been a formal mentor themselves compared to men (38%, P < 0.0001). A total of 35% of female respondents considered leaving surgery because of episodes of discrimination compared to 13% of men; 67% of women said that they experienced being unfairly treated due to gender discrimination. Of the male surgeons, 31% reported that they were very satisfied with their career compared to only 17% of women (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Women in cardiothoracic surgery reported significantly high rates of experiences with bias that may prevent qualified women from advancing to positions of leadership. Efforts to mitigate bias and support the professional development of women are at the centre of newly formed European committees.

Keywords: Cardiothoracic surgery; Female leadership; Gender bias; Mentorship; Professional life; Thoracic surgery.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Geographical location of the respondents.
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
Stacked plots of responses by women and men in cardiothoracic surgery to statements about potential barriers to career progression.
Figure 3:
Figure 3:
Stacked plots of responses by both women and men in cardiothoracic surgery to factors that will mostly improve their workplace.
None
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

    1. Ceppa DP, Dolejs SC, Boden N, Phelan S, Yost KJ, Edwards M. et al. Gender bias and its negative impact on cardiothoracic surgery. Ann Thorac Surg 2020;109:14–7. - PubMed
    1. Ceppa DP, Antonoff MB, Tong BC, Timsina L, Ikonomidis JS, Worrell SG. et al. 2020 women in thoracic surgery update on the status of women in cardiothoracic surgery. Ann Thorac Surg 2021; in press. - PubMed
    1. Williams KM, Hironaka CE, Wang H, Bajaj SS, O’Donnell CT, Sanchez M. et al. Women in thoracic surgery scholarship: impact on career path and interest in cardiothoracic surgery. Ann Thorac Surg 2021;112:302–7. - PubMed
    1. Ceppa DP, Ikonomidis JS, Timsina LR, Boden N, Kane LC, Donington JS.. STS 2019 workforce report: ad hoc analysis of women in cardiothoracic surgery. Ann Thorac Surg 2021;111:383–5. - PubMed
    1. Stephens EH, Robich MP, Walters DM, DeNino WF, Aftab M, Tchantchaleishvili V. et al. Gender and cardiothoracic surgery training: specialty interests, satisfaction, and career pathways. Ann Thorac Surg 2016;102:200–6. - PubMed