System Maintenance Notice

Please note that maintenance work is scheduled between 4 AM and 5 AM - CET. During this time, you may experience reduced performance. Thanks for your patience.

Publications

Journal Article Ahead of print

PubMed: 41780888 DOI: 10.1016/j.hjc.2026.02.005

Challenges and Disparities Faced by Women Cardiologists and Cardiac Surgeons.

Hellenic J Cardiol

Authors: Kalliopi Keramida, Helena Michalopoulou, Dorothea Tsekoura, Stella-Maria Kyvelou, Maria Kedariti, Nikoleta Stanitsa, Maria Marketou, Jutta Bergler-Klein, Vasiliki Androutsopoulou

Affiliations

  • Cardiology Department, General Anti-Cancer Oncological Hospital Agios Savvas, Athens, Greece; Department of Cardiology, Athens University Hospital Attikon, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
  • Department of Cardiology, Laiko General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.
  • 2nd Department of Surgery, Aretaieio University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
  • Third Department of Cardiology, Athens University Hospital Sotiria, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
  • Stremble Ventures Ltd. Limassol, Cyprus.
  • Cardiothoracic Department, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
  • Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University General Hospital, Heraklion, Crete, Greece; Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
  • Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
  • Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Despite increasing female participation in medicine, gender disparities persist in cardiology and cardiac surgery globally. In Greece, data on gender disparities in these specialties have been limited.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically investigate the professional experiences, perceived barriers, and career development challenges faced by women cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in Greece.

METHODS

A national, cross-sectional survey was distributed electronically to all female members of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology and the Hellenic Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons. The 47-item questionnaire captured demographic, academic, and professional data, including perceptions of gender-related bias, leadership representation, and work-life integration.

RESULTS

Among 743 recipients, 243 women responded (response rate: 33%). Although 47% held an MSc, 39% a PhD, and over 55% a subspecialization, only 3.8% occupied academic positions. Most participants reported placing their careers secondary to maternal responsibilities (78%) and considered their gender a barrier to career progression (64.7%). Gender-based discrimination and workplace bullying were reported by 58.7%, and 49.6% indicated patient mistrust. Only 27.5% believed they had equal career advancement opportunities, and just 21.2% felt equally represented in research leadership. Representation in national scientific societies and academic leadership remains markedly low, consistent with European data showing only a few female heads of cardiology departments in Greece.

CONCLUSIONS

Women cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in Greece face multifaceted and deeply entrenched structural barriers despite high levels of qualification. These findings call for urgent policy, institutional, and cultural reforms to advance gender equity in cardiovascular medicine and surgery.

MeSH

Physicians, Women, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cardiology, Bullying, Work, Cardiologists, Surgeons