International Women's Day 2024: Exploring how different viewpoints can improve understanding of disease, treatment and patient care could provide valuable insights.
We asked Nicola Ryan to share with us her views as a female interventional cardiologist on complementary perspectives of men and women in everyday cathlab practice. #IWD2024 #EmbraceEquity
The field of interventional cardiology has traditionally been a male-dominated field due to many misconceptions, including the risks of radiation and the perception that it is not a family-friendly speciality.
Despite this, many pioneering women have been involved in all the innovations in our speciality, including development of drug eluting stents and TAVI. This has led to important initiatives to promote women in interventional cardiology.
Presently, there are increasing numbers of highly trained female interventional cardiologists working in cath labs worldwide.
Nicola Ryan
Interventional cardiology is a fascinating speciality with constant innovations, ongoing research and excellent colleagues, both men and women, committed to providing excellent patient care, clinical research and development of new technologies.
Whilst men and women are said to have different perspectives and skills, it is foolhardy to dichotomise interventional cardiologists by gender, and I believe all colleagues have complementary viewpoints irrespective of gender. Increasing numbers of female interventional cardiologists adds a diversity of opinion to the cath lab team, as well as increased emphasis on certain aspects of cath lab ergonomics and safety, for example increased attention to radiation safety, which benefits all members of the team.
We know that there are important differences in aetiology, disease progression, management strategies and cardiovascular outcomes between men and women, with women under-represented in clinical trials.
Over the past number of years, there has been increasing emphasis on the investigation and treatment of patients with ANOCA and MINOCA, which were traditionally considered conditions which predominantly affected female patients. Significant work in this field has led to improved diagnosis and treatment, as well as an understanding that all patients can be affected by these conditions.
In order to provide equitable care for all of our patients, we need to ensure that they are adequately studied and represented in trials. Whilst there are different factors which influence the recruitment and participation of women in trials, female interventional cardiologists may recognise certain barriers to participation, such as being of childbearing age which have limited enrolment in the past. Furthermore, whilst all cardiologists emphasis with their patients female patients may identify more with female doctors, and some patients prefer a female cardiologist for personal or cultural reasons.
Throughout my training, I have had the opportunity to work with many excellent interventional cardiologists, both men and women, who have different perspectives and skills, all of whom have enhanced my knowledge and skills.
