It’s no secret that the first year of Cardiology fellowship has been difficult for me. I was warned that it would be more challenging than residency, but thought - how bad can it be? I wrote a book during residency, right? Survived the MICU during the first pandemic in a century? I can handle anything, right?
I was wrong. It’s been harder. The toll on my body has been immense. There have been times when I’ve actually thought -“ how am I supposed to sustain a pregnancy through this?” And the answer is : I’m not. A recent study by @drmarthagulati et al entitled, “Childbearing Among Women Cardiologists: The Interface of Experience, Impact, and the Law” shows in no uncertain terms what this field does to #wic #womenincardiology & how many, frankly, illegal practices we have to confront in our efforts to bear children while practicing in a field we gave 14 years of our lives to pursue.
I’ve thought often about quitting fellowship. I haven’t because I love cardiology, and frankly, I’m entitled. I think I should absolutely be able to “have my cake and eat it too.” I don’t think it’s fair that I’m expected to sacrifice my reproductive potential to make a hospital system money, or to avoid inconveniencing already overstretched colleagues. Not when my colleagues who don’t carry pregnancies don’t have to do the same. I believe that if I am recruited into a field, I should be supported in it too. And I think that physicians, who are well aware of the mental & physical health effects of sleep deprivation, long hours, and lack of reprieves, shouldn’t allow each other to put themselves at risk for a “calling”… or a job.
Dr. Gulati’s paper ends with solutions. I hope the Powers That Be are paying attention.
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