"Women are still underrepresented in research in interventional cardiology" - An interview with Nieves Gonzalo
We asked Nieves Gonzalo to share with us her views as a female interventional cardiologist on the place of women in her profession and in the world of health in general.
We asked Nieves Gonzalo to share with us her views as a female interventional cardiologist on the place of women in her profession and in the world of health in general. #IWD2023 #EmbraceEquity
What exactly does this women’s day mean to you, personally and professionally?
Women's day is a celebration of the role of women in society and their integration in the working world.
In my opinion, it is also a way to recognize all types of work done by women, including unpaid work at home and family care, tasks that on many occasions are still developed mainly by women and are often not properly appreciated.
For me, it is also an occasion to recognize how privileged I am for having a profession that I love.
Nieves Gonzalo
What do you think are the role and place of women in interventional cardiology today?
The presence of women in cathlabs around the world is progressively increasing, and there are currently many highly prepared colleagues working in interventional cardiology.
This will continue to grow in the next years, as many more young women are entering the field.
Still, there is a lack of representation in leading positions, specially in research and education, and significant regional differences in gender equality.
Would you say that the situation of women has changed in recent years? What is the current situation in your profession? And in terms of health? How would you like things to develop? What do you think could be improved?
I think that, in the last years, there have been important efforts to try to promote the role of women in interventional cardiology, and we will see the results in the next generation, with more young women deciding to pursue a career in the cathlab.
We should try to generate an adequate environment to ensure equal access based on merits and to facilitate the growth of young enthusiastic colleagues that have many things to contribute to the field.
In terms of health, women are still underrepresented in research in interventional cardiology. Efforts to try to increase women's presence in clinical trials and research is another task for the future.
Which achievements would you wish to reach in the next year?
For next year, I would like to continue learning and growing in all aspects of my work, clinical practice, research, and education. As Course Director, I have a very important task for the next EuroPCR and I feel very privileged to be part of such a great team.
I look forward to contributing to creating a program designed for the community of interventional cardiologists around the world with the objective of having a real impact on their practice and with the final aim of optimal patient care.
