Intersection of Race and Gender in the Cardiothoracic Workforce: Study of Representation and Salary

Abstract

Background: Cardiothoracic surgery lacks gender and racial/ethnic diversity. Recent studies have highlighted disparities based on gender and race/ethnicity among academic cardiothoracic surgeons. The impact of the intersection of these factors on representation and salary is unknown.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and Association of American Medical Colleges data was performed on the number of trainees and clinical faculty stratified by race/ethnicity and gender using χ² testing.

Results: The number of women and underrepresented minorities was low in cardiothoracic surgery compared with other specialties, with lowest representation at the intersection of race/ethnicity and gender. Among trainees, 8% were Asian, 2% were Black/African American , and 1.5% were Hispanic/Latina women. Among cardiothoracic faculty, 3.4% were Asian, 0.8% were Black/African American, and 0.4% were Hispanic/Latina women. Women in academic medicine, surgery, and cardiothoracic surgery earned 80%-87% the salary of men of equal academic rank. White assistant professors earned more than their colleagues (all clinical faculty, surgeons, and cardiothoracic surgeons), this difference was further compounded by gender.

Conclusions: Salary disparities exist among cardiothoracic surgeons at the intersection of gender and race/ethnicity. Women experience salary disparity across all academic ranks and specialties. When considering the intersection of gender and race/ethnicity, gender is the predominant factor driving salary inequity.