Where are Women in Academic Interventional Radiology?

Monday, March 6, 2023

3:30 PM – 3:40 PM

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 222AB

Abstract Speaker(s)

Francesca LoBianco, PhD

Medical Student
University of Arkansas College of Medicine

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Author/Co-author(s)

CG

Christopher Godwin, Pharm.D.

Graduate Student
UAMS
LE

Leah Evans, n/a

Pharmacy Student
UAMS
KK

Kim Krager, Ph.D.

Research Associate
UAMS
NA

Nukhet Aykin-Burns, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
UAMS College of Pharmacy
Mary Meek, MD

Professor of Interventional Radiology
University of Arkansas College of Medicine

Disclosure(s):

Francesca LoBianco, PhD: No financial relationships to disclose

Mary Meek, MD: No financial relationships to disclose

Purpose: Women are commonly the minority in medical specialties including surgical subspecialties like Interventional Radiology (IR). In academia this results in a decrease in women throughout the pipeline from medical school to leadership roles. A recent study published in 2021 focused on women in radiology demonstrated that female representation was more likely to decrease as rank increased. This study attempts to evaluate if these discrepancies are true for women in academic IR.

Materials and Methods: Academic IR faculty were identified by American Medical Association’s Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database (AMA FREIDA) from 2020-2022. Links to academic institutions listed were used to obtain the names, images, and personal biographies and determination of male or female was assessed to the best of the research team’s best ability. Academic achievement was measured by H-index, current academic title at persons institution and additional certifications or degrees listed for physician by the academic institution.

Results:

A total of 101 academic institutions were evaluated resulting in a total of 1515 listed IR faculty and 51% of these faculty had a leadership title. Only 27% of all listed faculty were women. When evaluating the discrepancy between males and females, 22% of women (vs 78% male p< 0.01) had a title associated with an elevated position such as professor, program director or chairman. Specifically, Chairmen and Chief were 19% female (vs 81% male p< 0.05). A 4:1 ratio was seen when comparing all titles individually between males and females. The title ‘Associate Program Director’ which was comparable at 51% female and 48% male. The association between H-index and position title indicated 54% of men with a H-index of any score held a leadership title whereas 74% of women with a H-index of any score had a title.

Conclusion: The most recent survey in 2019 found approximately half of medical school graduates are female. The imbalance within the field of Interventional Radiology is present in female representation in for academic progression. This is similar to publications in both Academic Radiology and Cardiology. Interestingly, while not statistically significant, 74% of women with an H-index associated with academic productivity also held a leadership role.