Gender Issues in Italian Catheterization Laboratories: The Gender-CATH Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Interventional Cardiology
• Medical Sociology

Background:

• Increasing percentage of women in interventional cardiology in Italy.
• Gaps in understanding and adapting to demographic shifts in the field.
• Need to analyze gender-specific professional experiences and challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze demographics and gender-based professional differences among Italian interventional cardiologists.
• To assess needs regarding catheterization laboratory (Cath-Lab) abstention and radiation safety.
• To identify gender-based disparities and perceived challenges in the Cath-Lab setting.

Main Methods:

• National survey distributed to members of the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (SICI-GISE).
• Analysis of demographics, workload, marital status, and childlessness.
• Inclusion of data on perceptions of pregnancy/breastfeeding impact, Cath-Lab abstention needs, radioprotection counseling, and job discrimination.

Main Results:

• 26.4% of 326 respondents were women; workload was not gender-influenced.
• Women reported higher rates of being unmarried and childless, and perceived greater negative impact of pregnancy/breastfeeding on career.
• Inadequate radioprotection counseling (80%) and higher job discrimination rates (26.7%) reported, particularly by women.

Conclusions:

• Significant gender-based differences and perceptions exist among Italian interventional cardiologists.
• Need for joint strategies addressing Cath-Lab abstention and radiation exposure education.
• Development of targeted interventions to promote gender equity in interventional cardiology.