Where are All of the Female Radiology Residents?

Radiology has long struggled to achieve a gender balance. According to a recent study published in Academic Radiology, radiology ranks as the 11th most common specialty among graduating female medical students, whereas it’s the fifth most popular among males.

There is a growing symmetry between men and women in medicine. However, radiology consistently attracts more males than females. A group of researchers from the University of Arkansas and the University of Texas Southwestern set out to determine the roots of this imbalance.

The researchers surveyed 71,941 fourth-year medical students between 2011 and 2016 with questions about their specialty choices, with points of consideration including salary, debt, mentor, interest, and skills. They found that only 26 percent of students who had chosen to specialize in radiology were women. Those women who selected radiology placed greater emphasis on “work/life balance, future family plans, salary, family expectations, high debt, and competitiveness.” This group of future female radiology residents also valued mentorship, with 47 percent saying that mentors were a strong factor compared to only 37 percent of men. For females who were drawn to other specialties, “length of residency” was an important factor in their decision making.  

“To reduce the gender disparity in radiology, active engagement of mentors in the profession should be a priority in radiology departments,” wrote the researchers. “Other factors such as promoting radiology as an intellectual specialty with strong positive attributes such as work/life balance and salary should be highlighted as well.”