Gender disparities in cardiothoracic surgery: a comparative study in India

Sufina Shales; Varun Shetty; Aditya Narsipur Doddamane; Md Idhrees; Mohamad Bashir; Pradeep Narayan

doi:10.1007/s12055-024-01713-w

Gender disparities in cardiothoracic surgery: a comparative study in India

Indian J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2024 Sep;40(5):536-546. doi: 10.1007/s12055-024-01713-w. Epub 2024 Mar 20.

Authors

Sufina Shales¹, Varun Shetty², Aditya Narsipur Doddamane³, Md Idhrees⁴, Mohamad Bashir⁵, Pradeep Narayan^{2

1}

Affiliations

¹ NH Rabindranath Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences, 124, EM Bypass, Mukundapur, Kolkata, 700099 India.
² Department of Cardiac Surgery, Narayana Health, Bengaluru, India.
³ Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, India.
⁴ Institute of Cardiac and Aortic Disorders, Division of Congenital Heart Surgery, Childrens' Heart Center, SRM Institutes of Medical Science, Chennai, India.
⁵ Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Health Education and Improvement Wales, Velindre University NHS Trust, Wales, UK.

PMID: 39156068
PMCID: PMC11329458 (available on 2025-09-01)
DOI: 10.1007/s12055-024-01713-w

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of gender bias in the field of cardiothoracic vascular surgery in India and compared women surgeons and trainees in India and abroad.

Methods: This was a comparative, cross-sectional analytical study using an online questionnaire. The survey included questions about demographics, career choice, training, academic and leadership opportunities, and the impact of choosing cardiothoracic-vascular surgery as a career on personal life.

Results: A total of 203 practicing surgeons and trainees participated in the study and included 121 (59.6%) men and 82 (40.3%) women. Out of the 82 women, 48 (58.5%) were from India, and 34 (41.5%) were from other countries. Satisfaction with the specialty was similar among men and women (105 (86.7%) vs. 68 (82.9%), p = 0.44 respectively). Majority (n = 30, 62.5%) of the female surgeons in India reported being discriminated against, as well as receiving favored treatment 11 (22.9%). Compared to men, women surgeons in India were more frequently advised against pursuing a career in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery (p < 0.001) and were more frequently subjected to gender-related references (p < 0.001). In addition, they had fewer presentation opportunities (p = 0.016) at national or regional meetings during their training compared to men. Additionally, 50% (24) of the women in India reported being single, in contrast to 7% (6) of men, and only 15 (31.3%) women reported having a child, compared to 57 (66.3%) of the men.

Conclusion: The study revealed significant gender disparities within the field of cardiothoracic vascular surgery in India and highlights the urgent need to address gender disparities and bias in cardiothoracic vascular surgery.

Keywords: Bias; Cardiothoracic surgery; Career advancement; Gender disparities; Workforce diversity.

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