Left-handedness in UK cardiology training

Correspondence to Dr Christopher J Allen, British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, Rayne Institute, King's College London, London, SE1 7EP, UK; christopher.allen@kcl.ac.uk Introduction Only 9%–18% of individuals are left-handed.1 Historically, left-handedness has been considered undesirable with attempts to alter hand dominance in left-handed individuals. An annual survey is conducted through the BJCA and sent to all current BJCA members and has previously been described.4 In 2021, specific questions relating to hand dominance and the effect of hand dominance on training were asked. Χ2 analyses were used to assess differences between categorical variables. A survey in obstetrics and gynaecology similarly identified left-handed equipment unavailability in 93% of responses.7 Left-handed trainees are often required to use their non-dominant hand, leading to slower skill acquisition and the perception of lower technical ability in left-handed trainees.8 Left-handed equipment availability must be improved to ensure that left-handed trainees are not disadvantaged during training.