American College of Cardiology

Childcare and other family issues add to the stress of a challenging academic career in cardiology, posing particular hurdles for women.

Elizabeth G. Nabel, MD, director of clinical research at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, addressed this and other obstacles to academic careers for women in a recent talk at Heart House. Part of the "How to Become a Cardiovascular Investigator" program held this May, Dr. Nabel’s presentation focused on women. But she emphasized that the same concerns apply for all early-career academics, regardless of gender.

Dr. Nabel said women tend to perceive that it is impossible to combine a successful academic career with family life. "You choose to have children, and around this stage, you’re a fellow or a junior faculty member. It’s precisely the time when you’re establishing your career, and you’re going to feel a competing drive to be with your family."

In a survey conducted by faculty at Johns Hopkins University, female medical school faculty with children reported greater obstacles to an academic career than their male counterparts. Forty-six percent of women reported institutional research funding vs. 67 percent of men, and secretarial support for women averaged .68 full-time employees vs. .83 full-time employees for men. Mothers also had fewer publications and slower self-perceived career progress than fathers.

"Some of these obstacles can be easily modified," Dr. Nabel maintained, and she said the leaders in cardiovascular medicine are working towards making changes as the demand for cardiovascular specialists grows—and as the demand among women patients for female cardiologists increases.

Eliminating early morning and after-hours meetings can make life much easier for parents who have to drop off or pick up children at childcare. Part-time career tracks also provide much-needed flexibility. Employers can make adjustments to length of tenure, as well. "There’s nothing fixed about seven years. If men or women need more time because of family issues, that’s not a problem."

She also recommended important steps young academics can take to balance family and career. "You’ll learn quickly that things have to be done in a compromising way. Family issues are something neither partner can handle by themselves."

She advised establishing a gameplan for your career for the short- and long-term. Identifying mentors, nurturing professional relationships, and participating in professional organizations like the ACC and the American Heart Association are also key, she said.

"When you begin your academic appointment, understand early on what are the criteria for promotion and who’s going to be making the decisions. Develop your professional CV, and obtain objective documentation of your academic accomplishments. This is critical for men and for women."

And keeping the big picture in mind is critical for both sexes, as well. "We can’t underestimate the importance of family in our lives," Dr. Nabel said. "Obviously careers are very important. But you can never underestimate the satisfaction family will give you."