Interventional Radiology and Neurointerventional Services, Department of Radiology, Austin Health, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia.
Interventional Radiology and Neurointerventional Services, Department of Radiology, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; School of Medicine, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Rd, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia.
Clin Radiol. 2020 Jul;75(7):560.e1-560.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2020.03.030. Epub 2020 Apr 21.
To assess differences in the exposure, teaching, knowledge, appreciation, and interest in interventional radiology (IR) between male and female doctors prior to specialisation and to identify potential predisposing factors to the gender inequality in interventional radiology.
A prospective cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted using in-person and web-based distribution of a voluntary, anonymous questionnaire to junior doctors yet to commence specialisation at 11 health services across two Australian states.
Complete responses were provided by 333 junior doctors (21.9% response rate). Women were significantly less likely than men to consider a career in IR (13.1% versus 29.7%, p < 0.001). No other statistically significant gender disparities were identified, as both men and women reported low levels of prior teaching and exposure to IR, strong belief in the importance of IR, and suboptimal knowledge of IR.
The gender gap amongst practising Australian interventional radiologists is perpetuated by a consistent gender gap in upcoming junior doctors' desire to pursue IR. This disparity exists despite junior doctors receiving the same exposure and opportunities in interventional radiology, possibly suggesting that preconceived stereotypes or psychosocial factors deter females from pursuing this procedural, male-dominated subspecialty. Future qualitative studies are required to confirm this hypothesis, in conjunction with prospective, experimental trials to determine whether changes in education, mentorship, and advocacy can promote gender equality.
评估男性和女性医生在专业化之前对介入放射学（IR）的暴露、教学、知识、理解和兴趣的差异，并确定介入放射学中性别不平等的潜在促成因素。
本研究采用前瞻性横断面多中心研究，在澳大利亚两个州的 11 个卫生服务机构，通过面对面和网络分发自愿、匿名问卷，对尚未开始专业化的初级医生进行调查。
共有 333 名初级医生（21.9%的回复率）完成了完整的问卷。与男性相比，女性选择介入放射学职业的可能性显著较低（13.1%比 29.7%，p<0.001）。没有发现其他具有统计学意义的性别差异，因为男性和女性都报告了对 IR 的教学和接触较少、强烈相信 IR 的重要性以及对 IR 的知识掌握不足。
尽管初级医生在介入放射学中接受相同的暴露和机会，但澳大利亚介入放射科医生中的性别差距仍在不断扩大，因为即将成为初级医生的人群中对从事介入放射学的渴望存在持续的性别差距。这种差异的存在可能表明，预先存在的刻板印象或社会心理因素阻碍了女性从事这个以男性为主导的程序亚专业。未来需要进行定性研究来证实这一假设，并结合前瞻性、实验性试验，以确定教育、指导和倡导的改变是否可以促进性别平等。
