My Mom is An Interventional Cardiologist: A Tribute and Challenge
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Ivana Kumar1; Anshita Kumari, MBBS2
1Research Associate, Sutter Health, Tracy, California; Quarry Lane School, Pleasanton, California; 2Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India; Research Associate, Sutter Health, Tracy, California
I first heard the word “STEMI” (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) about 12 years ago, when I was very young. I didn’t care to listen too closely while my mom talked on the phone about the hospital and “STEMI”, but this word was used a lot so I soon learned its significance, even though I wasn’t entirely sure what it meant. I did understand, however, that it meant my mom needed to get her belongings and head to the hospital right away. While my dad and I stayed out of her way and watched, she would quickly retrieve her car keys and leave the house.
One day, I decided to ask my mother, “Mom, what does STEMI mean?” She explained me that it meant there was an emergency at the hospital and that if she arrived even five minutes late, that person could die. Upon hearing this, I came to understand that my mother held the power to either save or kill an individual. Because life is so fragile, even the smallest error by my mother could result in death for that individual. Though the concept that life is irreversible doesn’t come until later in age, my imagining of the grief of losing loved ones minimized my tantrums at that age. I learnt the value of life, humanity, and priorities even before I could learn to spell these words.
Life as a daughter of interventional cardiologist mom means knowing she won’t be there for day-to-day activities. Our priorities and expectations were well explained and often repeated at home, which made us feel as if this is a norm.
Self-efficacy as a physician tests the self-adequacy of a mother. Motherhood is a gift, but one does not have to compromise the unparalleled passion of an aspiring physician. Still, there is an inherent conflict between the profession of medicine and motherhood. Medicine is biased or obliviously negligent toward the duties of a physician mom. Intrinsically marriage and parenting are undervalued and not well supported in this noble profession.
Women in interventional cardiology face numerous challenges and obstacles on a daily basis. Despite making up a significant portion of medical school graduates, women are still underrepresented in the field of interventional cardiology. This lack of representation can lead to feelings of isolation and inadequacy, as women may struggle to find mentors or support within a male-dominated specialty. According to recent statistics, only 4.5% of interventional cardiologists in the United States are women, highlighting the gender disparity that exists within this field.1 In addition to underrepresentation, women in cardiology also face discrimination and bias in their professional lives. According to an article2 by Cardiovascular Business, female cardiologists are paid an average of $386,000 per year, whereas their male counterparts are paid an average of $449,000 per year, even when factors such as experience and qualifications are taken into account. This gender pay gap not only undermines the hard work and dedication of female cardiologists, but also perpetuates a cycle of inequality within the profession. In addition, women in cardiology are less likely to hold leadership positions or be recognized for their contributions to the field, further marginalizing their voices and perspectives.
According to a study conducted by National Institutes of Health (NIH),3 women in cardiology worked more hours per week (median 50 hours vs 40 hours) and were more likely to be on call more than once per week, compared to male cardiologists.This disparity in workload can lead to increased levels of stress and exhaustion among women in the field, impacting both their mental and physical health. In addition to demanding work schedules, women in interventional cardiology also face particular challenges in achieving work-life balance. Many women in this field struggle to find time for self-care and relaxation, leading to increased levels of burnout and fatigue. Studies have shown that female interventional cardiologists are more likely to experience symptoms of burnout such as emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, compared to their male colleagues.4 Personally, I can very clearly recall how rarely my mother was able to come to any of my school showcases. I performed in plays, school festivals, and talent shows, but she never showed up. I used to argue with her back then. I was disappointed that while the parents of the other children could attend, she was always unable to do so. Up until a few months ago, I had no idea how terrible a workload might be. Even though I don’t have nearly as much work as my mother has, I still find it difficult to find time for myself as a high school student.
Professional stress, the struggle to balance work and life, and job satisfaction present significant challenges especially among interventional cardiologists, with a notable impact on women in this field. Observing my mother juggling her career and gender-related obstacles evoked feelings of anger and dismay within me. However, she enlightened me, sharing that such struggles are prevalent across various professions. The key, she emphasized, is to stand up for what is just and equitable. She advised that preparation, thorough education and training, and unwavering commitment and hard work, are all crucial for success. Despite facing a myriad of personal and professional hurdles, she persevered without succumbing to self-doubt. Her resilient attitude towards life not only shaped her character but also defined her success and achievements. Through my mother, I have become interested in the human body and how it works. Although a career in the medical field presents many challenges, I am determined to follow my passion and help others. The idea of making a difference in someone’s life and supporting them in their time of need motivates me to overcome any obstacles that come my way.
I wish to convey my heartfelt appreciation to you, Mom, for being not only an exceptional mother but also a dedicated physician and a shining role model in my life (and let's not forget, an amazing chef as well). Your presence shines brightly like a star in my universe, and will always do so.
Tips to Survive for Kids:
1. Learning the lifesaving job of your mother’s work can help mitigate the pain of her absence.
2. The empathetic nature of a physician's work explains delay in pick-ups / drop-offs.
3. Real-life experiences promote resilience and reduce vulnerability to adverse situations.
4. The circumstances teach us a strategic approach to life in systematic manner.
5. A physician role model at home encourages us to consider a much-needed profession.
References
1. Wang TY, Grines CL, Ortega R, Dai D, Jacobs AK, Skelding KA, Mauri L, Mehran R. Women in interventional cardiology: update in percutaneous coronary intervention practice patterns and outcomes of female operators from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2016;87:663-668.
2. Walter M. Cardiology salary update: New report examines pay gap between male and female cardiologists. Cardiovascular Business. May 21, 2020. https://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/cardiologist-salary/cardiology-salary-pay-gap-male-and-female-cardiologists#:~:text=Male%20cardiologists%20earn%20approximately%2015,earn%20an%20average%20of%20%24386%2C000
3. Vlachadis Castles A, Burgess S, Robledo K, et al. Work-life balance: a comparison of women in cardiology and other specialties. Open Heart. 2021 Jul;8(2):e001678. doi:10.1136/openhrt-2021-001678
4. Women, mid-career cardiologists most likely to report symptoms of burnout. American College of Cardiology (ACC) News Story. March 28, 2020. https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2020/03/24/16/41/sat-10am-acc-2019-well-being-study-acc-2020
Sources
Burgess S, Shaw E, Ellenberger K, Thomas L, Grines C, Zaman S. Women in medicine: addressing the gender gap in interventional cardiology. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018; 72: 2663-2667. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2018.08.2198
Capranzano P, Kunadian V, Mauri J, , et al. Motivations for and barriers to choosing an interventional cardiology career path: results from the EAPCI Women Committee worldwide survey. EuroIntervention. 2016; 12: 53-59. doi:10.4244/EIJY15M07_03
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