Further work is necessary in the cardiology field to create a safe and inclusive space for cardiovascular lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) trainees and physicians, as well as LGBTQ+ patients at risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a study published Jan. 10 in JACC: Advances.

Stephen C. Cook, MD, FACC, et al., conducted a voluntary survey of ACC's Fellows in Training (FITs) and Early Career professionals to evaluate the prevalence of practicing LGBTQ+ trainees and early career cardiologists, potential sources of mistreatment and measures of wellness among the LGBTQ+ cardiovascular workforce. The survey used Chi-square analysis and Fisher exact tests to compare responses between LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ respondents. Survey questions included the Short-Negative Acts Questionnaire and LGBTQ+-specific harassment questions.

Of the total 188 respondents who completed the survey, one-third (33%) identified as LGBTQ+, including transgender (3%), nonbinary (2%), gender queer (1%) and agender (1%).

The majority of respondents (75%), both LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+, reported exposure to at least one negative behavior in the workplace over the prior year. LGBTQ+ respondents were more likely to experience gender policing and heterosexist harassment compared to heterosexual peers (p=0.002).

LGBTQ+ respondents were less likely to agree with the statements 'LGBTQ+ patients were treated fairly' (40% vs. 66%, p<0.001), and 'cardiology leadership dealt effectively with behaviors of bullying toward sexual and gender minorities at my institution' (34% vs. 51%, p=0.029) compared to heterosexual peers.

The authors explain that this is the first inclusionary evaluation of cardiovascular LGBTQ+ FITs and early career physicians, and that their work "highlights the urgent need to educate current and future physicians [about the LGBTQ+ community]."

"Unconscious bias as it relates to the LGBTQ+ community has significant implications and should be addressed to create a more inclusive and safer professional environment," the authors conclude.