Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 5, 2025
Real-Time Electrocardiogram Monitoring During Treadmill Training in Mice
Published on: May 5, 2022
Global Prevalence and Impact of Hostility, Discrimination, and Harassment in the Cardiology Workplace
Garima Sharma1, Pamela S Douglas2, Sharonne N Hayes3
1Ciccarone Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Insights
A global survey found 44% of cardiologists experience a hostile work environment (HWE), with women disproportionately affected. HWE negatively impacts professional interactions and patient care, necessitating institutional action.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Occupational Health
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- Hostile work environment (HWE), encompassing discrimination, emotional, and sexual harassment, is a recognized issue in professional settings.
- The global prevalence and impact of HWE within the field of cardiology remain largely unquantified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the worldwide prevalence of emotional harassment, discrimination, and sexual harassment experienced by cardiologists.
- To investigate the impact of HWE on cardiologists' professional satisfaction and patient interactions.
Main Methods:
- A global survey was conducted by the American College of Cardiology, encompassing cardiologists across multiple continents.
- Data on demographics, practice information, and experiences of HWE were collected and analyzed using statistical methods, including logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Nearly half (44%) of the 5,931 surveyed cardiologists reported experiencing HWE, with significantly higher rates among women (68%) and racial minorities.
- Emotional harassment (29%), discrimination (30%), and sexual harassment (4%) were components of HWE, with gender being the most common cause of discrimination.
- HWE adversely affected professional relationships (75%) and patient interactions (53%), with women and early-career cardiologists facing the highest odds of experiencing HWE.
Conclusions:
- A high global prevalence of HWE exists in cardiology, affecting professional and patient interactions.
- Addressing HWE is crucial for the well-being of cardiologists and the optimization of patient care.
- Institutions and medical practices must prioritize strategies to combat HWE in cardiology.
Background:
Discrimination and emotional and sexual harassment create a hostile work environment (HWE). The global prevalence of HWE in cardiology is unknown, as is its impact.
Objectives:
This study sought to evaluate emotional harassment, discrimination, and sexual harassment experienced by cardiologists and its impact on professional satisfaction and patient interactions worldwide.
Methods:
The American College of Cardiology surveyed cardiologists from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, the European Union, the Middle East, Oceana, and North, Central, and South America. Demographics, practice information, and HWE were tabulated and compared, and their impact was assessed. The p values were calculated using the chi-square, Fisher exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis determined the association of characteristics with HWE and its subtypes.
Results:
Of 5,931 cardiologists (77% men; 23% women), 44% reported HWE. Higher rates were found among women (68% vs. 37%; odds ratio [OR]: 3.58 vs. men), Blacks (53% vs. 43%; OR: 1.46 vs. Whites), and North Americans (54% vs. 38%; OR: 1.90 vs. South Americans). Components of HWE included emotional harassment (29%; n = 1,743), discrimination (30%; n = 1,750), and sexual harassment (4%; n = 221), and they were more prevalent among women: emotional harassment (43% vs. 26%), discrimination (56% vs. 22%), and sexual harassment (12% vs. 1%). Gender was the most frequent cause of discrimination (44%), followed by age (37%), race (24%), religion (15%), and sexual orientation (5%). HWE adversely affected professional activities with colleagues (75%) and patients (53%). Multivariate analysis showed that women (OR: 3.39; 95% confidence interval: 2.97 to 3.86; p < 0.001) and cardiologists early in their career (OR: 1.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.14 to 1.43; p < 0.001) had the highest odds of experiencing HWE.
Conclusions:
There is a high global prevalence of HWE in cardiology, including discrimination, emotional harassment, and sexual harassment. HWE has an adverse effect on professional and patient interactions, thus confirming concerns about well-being and optimizing patient care. Institutions and practices should prioritize combating HWE.
More Related Videos
07:49Author Spotlight: Investigating HR-Dependent Cardiac Function in Mouse Models Through a Novel Atrial-Pacing Approach
Published on: July 21, 2023
06:55An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents
Published on: December 2, 2015
Related Concept Videos
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
02:55Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
02:16Stereotype Content Model
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
01:29Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...