Gender disparities persist in radiology despite progress, ESR survey finds

Despite improvements over recent decades, gender disparities remain present in radiology, particularly in access to leadership, working conditions, and career satisfaction, according to a survey conducted by the European Society of Radiology (ESR).

The findings, published in Insights into Imaging, align with results from other national and subspecialty surveys, suggesting the pattern is not confined to a single country or field.

Importantly, the authors found variability between geographical regions within Europe, which they said points to specific areas that could be addressed to support a more equitable professional environment.

Perceived disadvantage and extra hours

A team led by Dr. Anna D'Angelo of Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS in Rome, Italy, distributed an anonymous online survey comprising 22 questions to ESR members between October and December 2024. The questionnaire covered demographics, work schedules, family responsibilities, career development, leadership roles, research involvement, and personal experiences related to gender equity.

Perceived career achievement by age group and gender. The graphic shows perceived satisfaction with their career achievement of the respondents stratified by age (x-axis) and gender.ESR

A total of 830 radiologists responded, with 657 completing the questionnaire. Among those who completed the survey, 63.3% were women, 35.3% were men, and 1.3% identified otherwise. 

The largest gender difference concerned career perceptions. Nearly half of women (44.5%) reported that their gender had been a disadvantage during their career, compared with only 9.5% of men (p < 0.0001), representing a difference of 35 percentage points (95% confidence interval: 28.9-41.1).

Working patterns also differed. Almost half of women (47.2%) reported working more than 30% extra hours, compared with 29% of men.

Research barriers may shape long-term careers

Research activity showed a more nuanced picture. Overall participation in research was similar between men and women. However, women more frequently reported barriers to attending scientific conferences and a lack of protected research time, factors that may affect long-term academic development.

Career fulfillment also showed opposite trends with age. Among male respondents, satisfaction increased over time, whereas it declined among women.

Leadership positions likewise remained unevenly distributed, with men holding a greater proportion of leadership roles than women.

Echoes of earlier findings

The survey extends a pattern documented in previous studies. A 2019 international survey of 858 radiology trainees, also published in Insights into Imaging, found that fewer women participated in research during residency (44.3% versus 59.4%, p ≤ 0.0001). In addition, 24.3% of women identified gender as a barrier to research, compared with 6.8% of men (p < 0.0001).

More recently, a 2024 survey by the Radiological Society of Finland involving 259 radiologists and residents identified gender as the most frequently perceived basis for workplace discrimination.

Geographical variation as one of most important findings

The survey assessed respondents' perceptions rather than objective career outcomes and therefore shares the limitations common to voluntary online surveys, including the potential for response bias. 

Nevertheless, the authors highlighted the geographical variation observed across Europe as one of the study's most important findings. 

Differences between regions suggest that workplace culture, institutional policies, and organizational practices may influence gender equity, indicating that targeted measures by departments, hospitals, and professional societies could help foster a more equitable and supportive professional environment.

The full study can be found here.