Promoting Greater Diversity and Inclusion in Radiology Research: A Survey of the American Association for Women Radiologists.

OBJECTIVES

To assess perceived challenges to radiology research and publication by female radiologists, as well as possible strategies for overcoming these challenges.

METHODS

An electronic survey was conducted of female nontrainee members of the American Association for Women Radiologists in September and October, 2017. Respondents were recruited by e-mail. Responses were assessed descriptively.

RESULTS

The response rate was 31.8% (89/280). 61.4% of respondents were interested in conducting radiology research. 60.2% were expected by their departments to pursue research versus 80.7% expected to pursue educational activities. 56.8% felt that their research success is valued by their department. 47.7% felt that they receive appropriate credit for their research from their departments. 22.7% felt that they receive sufficient time for research. 23.9% felt that their department makes deliberate efforts to support women's research efforts. 41.6% versus 70.8% ever had a female versus a male research mentor, respectively. Among seven provided options, the three items most commonly selected as being most helpful to enhancing research success were dedicated research time (40.4%), personal research mentors (23.6%), and earlier career training in research methodology (21.3%). Additional relevant themes identified by a free-response survey item included: family/child-care issues (n = 5), unconscious bias at the departmental/chair level (n = 5), exclusion of women from research activities by male researchers (n = 2), and concern of being perceived as "aggressive" (n = 2).

CONCLUSION

Initiatives targeting the identified challenges to radiology research could help promote greater diversity and inclusion among radiologist researchers, which in turn has implications for improving the quality of such research.