Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery in France: Current Status and Workforce Projections to 2040

Area of Science:

• Medical Specialties
• Surgical Fields
• Gender Studies in Medicine

Background:

• Cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) is a demanding surgical field with historical male dominance.
• France has a high percentage of women in medical school (over 60%).
• Despite increased female medical students, gender disparities persist in advanced surgical roles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the current status of women in French CTS.
• To identify trends in female participation from 2017-2024.
• To project future workforce demographics for women in CTS to 2040.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the French Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery national registry (2024).
• Conducted a pipeline analysis of surgeon cohorts from 2017-2024.
• Employed recruitment, retirement, and attrition rates for future workforce projections to 2040.

Main Results:

• In 2025, 13.72% of practicing CTS surgeons were women; 24.55% including trainees.
• Female representation reached 55% in the 2022 residency cohort, indicating a positive trend in early career stages.
• Women held only 8.75% of academic positions, revealing a significant gap in leadership.
• Pipeline analysis showed steady recruitment and strong retention, with projections indicating over 240 women in CTS by 2040.

Conclusions:

• While female recruitment in French CTS is progressing, substantial gender disparities remain, particularly in academic and leadership positions.
• Policy reform, mentorship programs, and institutional support are essential for achieving gender equity.
• Addressing these disparities is crucial for the future strength and sustainability of the specialty.