A Need for Change: Tackling Professionalism and Ethics in Cardiology

In recognition of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Consensus Conference on Professionalism and Ethics, Practical Cardiology is hosting a multipart series highlighting the topic.

Titled, “A Need for Change” the first portion of the series highlighted a recent study examining the impact and prevalence of discrimination and harassment among cardiology professionals while the remaining pieces included in the series focus on the recommendations and guidance of each of the 5 task forces who composed the AHA/ACC statement. Every day from June 7-June 12, 2021, this article will be updated to include links to the latest segment of the series.

1. Survey Suggests Nearly 50% of Cardiologists Report Having a Hostile Work Environment
   An analysis of survey data from cardiologists in multiple regions throughout the world portrays a field in need of reform, with more than 4-in-10 reporting a hostile work environment and some form of discrimination reported by 3-in-10 cardiologists.
2. Navigating Relationships with Industry and Conflicts of Interest in Cardiology
   The first of 5 slideshows in our multipart series, this slideshow examines the scope of work and conclusions from the AHA/ACC task force who addressed conflicts of interest and relationships with industry.
3. Addressing Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging in Cardiology
   The second of 5 slideshows in our multipart series, this slideshow examines the scope of work and conclusions from the AHA/ACC task force who addressed diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in cardiovascular medicine.
4. Enhancing the Well-Being of Cardiology Professionals
   The third of 5 slideshows included in our "A Need for Change" series, details the work of Task Force 3 from the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Consensus Conference on Professionalism and Ethics, which sought to identify shortcomings and avenues for improving the well-being of cardiologists and cardiology professionals.
5. Improving Patient Autonomy, Privacy, & Social Justice in Cardiology
   This slideshow examines the scope of work and conclusions from the AHA/ACC task force who tackled the topics of patient autonomy, privacy, data access, and social justice in cardiology for the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Consensus Conference on Professionalism and Ethics.
6. Challenges with New Care Delivery Systems in Cardiology
   The final slideshow in our multipart series, this slideshow examines the scope of work and conclusions from the AHA/ACC task force who tackled the topics of overcoming hurdles with new care delivery systems for the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Consensus Conference on Professionalism and Ethics.