Objectives

Women are under-represented in Radiology, both globally and in Ireland. An annual review of the medical workforce in Ireland for the year 2021–2022 revealed that although the overall gender breakdown of trainees is similar, with 56% female and 44% male trainees, certain specialities have disproportionate numbers of a given gender. Females only account for 38% of Irish Radiology trainees, one of the lowest of all the specialties. The cause for this disparity is likely multifactorial, but a lack of interest in applying for Radiology training by female doctors is a possible cause. The objectives of this study were to identify specific factors that attract or deter intern doctors from considering a career in Radiology and to identify underlying gender-specific differences.

Materials and methods

Anonymous online surveys were distributed to 50% of the intern population in Ireland between May and June 2022. The survey included questions on demographics, prior radiology exposure, and dedicated multiple-choice questions for those either considering or not considering radiology, which were subdivided into potentially influencing factors.

Results

Two-hundred-seven interns responded giving a response rate of 48.3%, which totalled almost 25% of the interns in Ireland. For those interns considering radiology, significantly more male interns (n = 24/67, 35.8%) are considering radiology compared with females (n = 26/139, 18.71%), (p  < 0.009). Significantly more females were deterred by the perception of radiology as a male-based speciality (p < 0.004).

Conclusion

Significantly fewer females are considering radiology, deterred by physics knowledge, use of technology, and, significantly, by the perception of radiology as a male-dominated speciality.

Clinical relevance statement

This survey highlights important reasons that female interns are deterred from radiology. It will help direct future medical training and doctor recruitment policies, with a view to addressing the ongoing gender disparity in the Irish radiology workforce.

Key Points

Women are under-represented in the Irish and global Radiology workforce.

Female interns are dissuaded from Radiology as a career by their perception of Radiology as male-dominated.

This survey will shape medical training and doctor recruitment policies to improve gender diversity in radiology.