Hanover Heart Rhythm Centre allows female doctors to work invasively during pregnancy
Working safely and relaxed in the cardiac catheterisation lab until maternity leave: Dr Henrike Hillmann (left) and Dr Johanna Müller-Leisse. Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH
A career break
When a baby is due, many female doctors are faced with the question of whether they can and may continue to work. fig, employment bans are imposed across the board for certain activities, such as operations or examinations involving X-rays, without checking individually whether continued employment would be possible under certain conditions. For many women, the ‘stop’ is associated with a career setback - especially during specialist training. Hannover Heart Rhythm Centre (HHC) at the Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology is breaking new ground in this area.
Fewer female doctors work in invasive cardiology and rhythmology than male doctors. n Professor Dr David Duncker sees the reason for this in concerns about increased radiation exposure and the longer invasive training with procedures such as catheter ablation and implantation of pacemakers and defibrillators. ‘Vi Many women decide against further training in these areas because they fear they will have to interrupt their training if they become pregnant,’ regrets the Head of the Hanover Heart Rhythm Centre (HHC) at the Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology.
As one of the few cardiological training centres in Germany, the HHC has therefore created structures that allow female doctors to continue their invasive training despite pregnancy.
The medical societies allow invasive work
According to the current recommendations of the professional associations, pregnant doctors are also permitted to continue invasive work under certain conditions and on a voluntary basis,’ explains Professor Duncker. At HH The topic became topical because two female doctors became pregnant almost simultaneously last year. Dr Johanna Müller-Leisse and junior doctor Dr Henrike Hillmann both wanted to continue working in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory - one to gain even more routine, the other to continue her specialist training. Thanks to additional precautions to protect them from radiation and infection, both were able to do their jobs until shortly before maternity leave. After a few months of maternity leave, both will soon return to the clinic as full-time employees. The fathers are now more involved in childcare.
Additional protective measures at HHC include the use of two-piece X-ray aprons, sterile radiation protection drapes and a so-called live dosimeter to monitor radiation exposure during the procedure. To the Sc To protect against infection, all patients are tested for HIV and hepatitis B. Once these have been ruled out, pregnant women can undergo surgery. If there is no risk of infection, pregnant doctors can always carry out the procedure. m the entire team supports the pregnant colleagues. all s nd is informed and sensitised - if necessary, someone with equivalent qualifications can step in.
Individual decision
The live dosimeter was particularly important to the doctors. It is worn directly on the abdomen. It showed me that I hadn't been exposed to any radiation there. It gave me a lot of security,’ says Dr Hillmann looking back. The doctors really appreciate the support from the team. We discussed together which procedures we would carry out. If it had become too physically demanding, for example by standing at the operating table for too long, we would have been replaced at any time,’ explains Dr Müller-Leisse. Both see the new structures as a major improvement in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory. This is an important step to prevent female doctors from being slowed down during the family phase,’ says Dr Müller-Leisse. Dr Hillmann agrees: ‘It's a great improvement. It's great that every woman can now decide for herself whether or not she wants to work in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory during pregnancy."
Text: Tina Götting