Disparities in training Survey

Introduction
Please note the survey targets individuals under 40.

At the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions, we recognise the unique challenges and opportunities faced by young interventional cardiologists around the world. As part of our commitment to advancing equity, excellence, and access in interventional cardiology training, the EAPCI Gender and Disparities and Young Committees would like to
better understand the experiences and needs of our community.
help us shape actionable initiatives that address disparities in training and professional development in regions facing challenges.

Disclaimer
May we remind you of our code of conduct related to market research?

Your participation is anonymous. We will not disclose your identity to any third party.
We comply with the European General Data Protection regulation (GDPR) 2016/679. Any personal data processed in connection with this survey will be treated confidentially and only used by the esc for the purposes of market research and not for promotion. Survey results will be kept for a maximum of 24 months for analysis and quality control purposes. We take all reasonable care to prevent any unauthorised access to your personal data. We respect your privacy and your right to access, modify, or remove your personal data. At any time, you can ask to know what personal data is being held. If you have any questions about data protection or require further information, please contact our data protection officer (dpo) at dpo@escardio.org.
You have the right to end your participation in this survey at any time.

1.May I ask you to confirm whether you have considered all the clauses above and accept participation in this survey?

Yes

No

2.Which is your age? (Please note: this survey targets individuals under 40 years old. Please take this survey if you are <40 years old)

<30

30–34

35– 39

3.Which is your gender*?
* Gender refers to socially and culturally shaped identities, roles, and expressions, which may not align with sex assigned at birth

Female

Male

Other

Prefer not to say

4.Do you have any children?

Yes

No

Prefer not to say

5.How many years have you been practicing in interventional cardiology as fellow or interventional cardiologist (cath-lab experience)?

1–≤3

4–≤6

7–≤10

>10

6.What is your current role in the cath-lab?

Resident/fellow in interventional cardiology

Interventional cardiologist in training

Independent interventional cardiologist in coronary

Independent interventional cardiologist in coronary and structural

<40 years interventional cardiologist having some leading role

10.What is the total number of residents, fellows and interventional cardiologists in training (of any age) in your cath-lab?

1–2

3–5

6–10

More than 10

GENDER* DISPARITIES DURING TRAINING
*Gender refers to socially and culturally shaped identities, roles, and expressions, which may not align with sex assigned at birth. Sex refers to biological attributes such as chromosomes, hormones, and anatomy, typically categorised as male or female.

12.Have you ever felt that gender negatively impacted practical training opportunities?

Yes, I have experienced direct discrimination or harassment

Yes, indirectly (e.g., exclusion, bias, or lack of support) and frequently

Yes, indirectly (e.g., exclusion, bias, or lack of support) but occasionally

No, my gender has not affected my opportunities

No, but I have witnessed it happening to others

13.Have you ever felt that gender negatively impacted research opportunities?

Yes, I have experienced direct discrimination or harassment

Yes, indirectly (e.g., exclusion, bias, or lack of support) and frequently

Yes, indirectly (e.g., exclusion, bias, or lack of support) but occasionally

No, my gender has not affected my opportunities

No, but I have witnessed it happening to others

14.Do you believe that your gender negatively impacted/would impact your fellowship application?

Yes, I believe I was disadvantaged

Yes, I believe I will be disadvantaged

No, I believe my selection was based purely on merit

No, I believe my selection will be based purely on merit

15.If you experienced or witnessed discrimination due to your gender/sex*, did you report it?
*Gender refers to socially and culturally shaped identities, roles, and expressions, which may not align with sex assigned at birth. Sex refers to biological attributes such as chromosomes, hormones, and anatomy, typically categorized as male or female.

16.Do you believe that considerations about current or future family planning (e.g., pregnancy, maternity leave) negatively impact the chances of female doctors being selected for an interventional cardiology fellowship?

Yes, absolutely—it is a significant barrier

Yes, but only in certain institutions or regions

No, I don’t believe it plays a role

17.Did concerns about radiation exposure and its potential impact on reproductive health influenced or may influence your or your colleagues' decision to pursue (or not pursue) a fellowship in interventional cardiology?

Strongly influenced the decision to avoid the field

Somewhat influenced the decision to avoid the field

Had minimal influence but was a concern

Had no influence on the decision

Not applicable

18.How do you perceive work-life balance challenges in interventional cardiology for men vs. women?

Women face significantly greater challenges

Women face somewhat greater challenges

Challenges are equal for both men and women

Men face somewhat greater challenges

Men face significantly greater challenges

19.Do you think that women have the same opportunities as men for career progression and/orleadership roles in interventional cardiology?

Yes, both

Yes, only for career progression

Yes, only for leadership roles

No

20.In your experience, would you say that female interventionalists are excluded from structural programmes or complex coronary interventions?

Yes

No

21.Have you noticed a gender disparity in proctorship opportunities, where male colleagues are more frequently selected as proctors compared to female colleagues?

Yes

No

TRAINING CHALLENGES ACROSS DIFFERENT NATIONAL SETTINGS

23.How would you rate the availability of interventional cardiology training programmes in your region?

24.Which aspects of your training programme do you find most effective? (Select all that apply)

25.What are the biggest challenges you face in your professional training? (Select all that apply)

Lack of access to training programs

Limited hands-on procedural opportunities

Inadequate mentorship

Insufficient funding or resources

Many other activities aside from intervention cardiology training (such as consults, ward activities, outpatient clinic activities)

26.Which areas of interventional cardiology require more training in your region? (Select all that apply)

Basic coronary interventions

Complex coronary interventions (CTO, bifurcation lesions, left main interventions, calcium modification techniques, etc.)

Structural heart disease (e.g., TAVI, TTVI, TMVR)

Peripheral interventions

Imaging and diagnostic tools (IVUS, OCT, CCTA)

None of the above

28.Do you have access to the following in your current setting? (Select all that apply)

High-quality imaging equipment

Updated interventional tools/devices

Internet for accessing online learning materials

Support from experienced interventional cardiologists

Support to attend courses and congresses

30.What is / are the main reason(s) why some of the above intervention options are not accessible in your setting? (Select all that apply)

Lack of material

Lack of trained operators

Insufficient funding/support of the healthcare system

Limited surgical back-up

None of the above reasons, these intervention options are all available

31.What are the primary barriers to receiving additional training in your region? (Select all that apply)

32.What support would you prioritise to overcome these barriers?

Educational scholarships or travel grants

Locally organised training programmes

Access to mentorship and expert guidance

Remote/virtual training opportunities

Advocacy for better infrastructure

Other

33.Do you have any additional suggestions or comments about how we can support fellows and young interventional cardiologists in your country?