May 17, 2022
The Libin Institute and Department of Cardiac Sciences implement new anti-harassment and discrimination programs
Calgary, AB 鈥 Enhanced supports and education to protect physicians and staff at the Libin Cardiovascular Institute and Department of Cardiac Sciences, a joint initiative between the 草莓污视频导航鈥檚 Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) and Alberta Health Services (AHS), from harassment and discrimination have been developed thanks to a study led by Dr. Michelle Keir, MD, and Dr. Shannon Ruzycki, MD.
鈥淲别 listened to women鈥檚 experiences that have occurred throughout their career in cardiology at various institutions in Canada. We learned that a lot of women have suffered in silence. Some of their comments will be shocking to many and have outlined that we need to rethink how to interact with each other.鈥
Dr. Michelle Keir, MD, a clinician-researcher and principal investigator
Study participants described incidents of harassment and discrimination in their career throughout Canada, and though not all participants agreed that harassment or discrimination was common in cardiology, all provided examples of gender-based discrimination.
Findings in the study have resulted in new training programs and system changes including bias training sessions which have been incorporated into the hiring practise. As well, all people on a hiring selection committee must have completed training related to diversity and inclusion. In addition, sessions led by and the have been held to support those who may be dealing with trauma and/or wellness concerns. The is also hosting sessions on professional misconduct. AHS is developing new processes for physicians to safely report issues related to harassment and discrimination in the workplace.
鈥淲别 found that incidents of harassment and discrimination are wide-spread and are not unique to one institution. Many women would minimize or try to explain away their experiences. For some, it was likely a coping mechanism to normalize the experiences.鈥
Dr. Shannon Ruzycki, MD, a clinician-researcher and first author
Keir is the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) lead at the Libin Institute. After being appointed to the position, leadership at CSM and AHS empowered Keir to conduct research to explore what was happening in the department and to form an EDI committee. Funding for the study was provided by the Libin Institute, the CSM and 草莓污视频导航.
鈥淭here have been a number of surveys through the years, and papers written indicating a prevalence of harassment and discrimination against women in cardiology,鈥 says Keir. 鈥淗owever, we felt we really needed to explore personal experiences in order to design interventions, create supports, and facilitate empathy, support and allyship among leadership.鈥
鈥淲别 are taking this seriously. We are trying to move the needle and address systemic barriers. The work Dr. Keir and Dr. Ruzycki have done will help guide the process to make things better.鈥
Dr. Paul Fedak, MD, PhD, director of the Libin Institute and head of the Dept. of Cardiac Sciences
Fedak adds CSM and AHS leadership will be working with the EDI committee to define more strategies, which will include the joint funding of an AHS and CSM sex and gender-based violence educator to enhance literacy training in this area for physicians and physician learners. Grounded in community-building and collaborative practices, the Senior Specialist, Gender Violence Education will build anti-violence capacity among learners and educators, provide expert sexual violence education consultation and assessment, and create and deliver sexual violence-focused education and training.
鈥淲别 are committed to being leaders that are part of reshaping the future and changing the culture,鈥 says Fedak.
The women who agreed to share their stories represent health care professionals in cardiology in various roles and at various stages of their careers. We would like to thank each of the women who participated in the study and shared their stories. We recognise that these womens鈥 experiences may bring up difficult emotions or memories for some. If this describes you, you are not alone. We encourage you to reach out for support:
- Physicians and trainees can contact the Physician and Family Support Program (1-877-SOS-4MDS 鈥 24 hours a day, 7 days a week),
- 草莓污视频导航 faculty, and students, can contact the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Support Team, LifeWorks Employee and Family Assistance (1-866-424-0699) and Albertans may phone or text Alberta鈥檚 One Line for Sexual Violence (1-866-403-8000).听
If you are a member of the 草莓污视频导航 community 听and wish to confidentially share an experience of discrimination or harassment, you have the options of contacting the and/or 草莓污视频导航鈥檚 Office of Protected Disclosure and Research Integrity. 听You can also review a more comprehensive list of available CSM-specific supports and resources .
The study is published in .
If you are a member of the CSM and considering conducting similar research in your department and wish to learn more about work done at the Libin Institute and Department of Cardiac Sciences, or other CSM reviews looking at gender disparities, please contact Dr. Shannon Ruzycki at shannon.ruzycki@ucalgary.ca
Media inquiries
Kelly Johnston
Senior communications specialist, media relations
Cumming School of Medicine, 草莓污视频导航
403.617.8691
kelly.johnston2@ucalgary.ca
Angela Unsworth
Director, Communications
Medical Affairs and Alberta Surgical Initiative, AHS
403-312.8843
Angela.Unsworth@albertahealthservices.ca
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