Workplace Mistreatment in U.S. Cardiology: A Comprehensive Analysis of Experiences and Implications
Laxmi S Mehta1, Kevin L Thomas2, Anne Rzeszut3
1Division of Cardiology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Insights
Workplace mistreatment, including discrimination and harassment, affects three-quarters of U.S. cardiologists. This significantly impacts their professional lives, career progression, and well-being, necessitating improvements in cardiology
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Professionalism
- Workplace Environment
Background:
- Workplace discrimination and harassment are prevalent issues within cardiology.
- Existing data on the specific impact of mistreatment in cardiology is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of workplace mistreatment among U.S. cardiologists.
- To assess the impact of mistreatment on cardiologists in both clinical and academic roles.
- To identify factors associated with negative professional outcomes due to mistreatment.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was administered to 1,583 U.S. cardiologists by the American College of Cardiology in 2022.
- Data collected included demographics, types of mistreatment experienced, professional experiences, and self-reported impacts.
- Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze predictors of negative professional impact.
Main Results:
- Three-quarters of cardiologists reported experiencing workplace mistreatment, with discrimination (62%) and incivility (34%) being most common.
- Mistreatment was reported by 54% in clinical settings and 58% in academic settings, affecting advancement, work expectations, and compensation.
- Negative professional impacts included avoidance of opportunities (20%), feeling silenced (20%), and considering leaving medicine (11%). Harassment, discrimination, identifying as homosexual, and female gender were significant predictors of negative impact.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of workplace mistreatment exists among U.S. cardiologists, with discrimination and harassment being widespread.
- Mistreatment detrimentally affects cardiologists' careers, productivity, and well-being, potentially impacting patient care.
- Urgent interventions are needed to improve the professional climate within cardiology.
Background:
Discrimination and harassment are common in cardiology but data on its impact are limited.
Objectives:
This study sought to identify the prevalence and impact of workplace mistreatment among U.S. cardiologists overall and when engaged in clinical and academic work.
Methods:
The American College of Cardiology conducted an online survey of 1,583 U.S. cardiologists in 2022. Demographics, types of mistreatment, professional experiences, and impact were self-reported. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the predictors of "negative professional impact" defined as a composite of any of the following outcomes: being less productive, taking sick time, leaving a position, leaving cardiology, or leaving medicine.
Results:
Three-quarters of cardiologists experienced workplace mistreatment, including incivility (34%), discrimination (62%), emotional or physical harassment (32%), and sexual harassment (13%). Unfair treatment was reported by 54% working in any clinical setting, including issues related to professional advancement (31%), clinical work expectations (27%), and compensation (23%). Unfair treatment was reported by 58% during academic work. Consequently, 20% avoided training, employment, or promotion opportunities, 20% felt silenced, and 16% reported social avoidance; 11% considered leaving medicine. Predictors of negative professional impact included type of mistreatment (harassment [OR: 10.01; 95% CI: 5.25-19.10], discrimination [OR: 3.03; 95% CI: 1.56-5.80]), identification as homosexual (OR: 5.60; 95% CI: 1.87-16.78), and woman gender (OR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.19-2.07).
Conclusions:
Three of 4 U.S. cardiologists report workplace mistreatment, including two-thirds reporting discrimination and/or harassment. Mistreatment negatively impacts professional lives, career trajectory, well-being, productivity, workforce retention, and ultimately impacts the delivery of patient care. These data highlight the need to improve the climate within cardiology.
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