A Survey of Women in the Perfusion Workforce: 2021

A diverse and equitable working environment is desirable. In 2011, a survey was distributed to all female perfusionists in the United States. This survey suggested that the female perfusionists share the same difficulties as women in the labor force. The role of women in society in general is clearly changing. Female perfusionists have been part of that evolution. Promoting equality and respecting diversity are central to life today. A follow-up survey was distributed to evaluate the status and the change in gender stereotypes in the field of perfusion over the past 10 years. Women make up nearly half of the U.S. labor force and 35.7% of the present perfusion workforce in North America (1,077 certified women). Women make 82 cents for every dollar that men earn and this disparity widens for women with more education. The purpose of this survey was to poll women in perfusion to evaluate concerns and opinions in their careers and to compare to the 2011 survey results. In December 2021, a 39-question survey (surveymonkey.com, San Mateo, CA) was made available to all female perfusionists in North American via social media websites (Facebook.com, Perfusion.com, LinkedIn.com, Perflist, Perfmail, and FPP Listserv). There were 384 responses to the 2021 survey compared to the 538 responses in 2011. About 32.1% of the survey participants have been used in perfusion for more than 20 years; 37.6% have earned a master's degree compared to 2011, where 18.3% had master's level education; 72.5% are the financial providers for their family with 44.2% earning $101-150,000.00 and 40.3% greater than $200,000.00, which is a significant change from 2011; 61.5% consider themselves under moderate stress compared to 63.0% in 2011; 94.3% take call on a regular basis; and 74.1% feel they miss essential family functions because of their schedules. Similarly, 62.8% felt discriminated against because of gender compared to 50.9% in 2011. This survey suggests that the female perfusionists have shown to be assertive (72% are the primary financial supporter of their families) and competent in the field of cardiovascular perfusion (nearly 40% have masters degrees). Further analysis is needed to discern whether female perfusionists are treated with comparable respect as their male colleagues when 50.0% report some discrimination or harassment in their workplace.