Marjasuo Suvi, Holstila Milja, Hirvonen Jussi
Radiology, University of Helsinki and HUS Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Insights Imaging. 2025 May 15;16(1):106. doi: 10.1186/s13244-025-01975-x.
The issue of equity among medical professionals has been extensively discussed in recent literature. Gender inequity, in particular, is a well-documented phenomenon within scientific communities. The Radiological Society of Finland undertook a national survey to assess equity among radiologists in Finland, with the primary hypothesis of equity prevailing in the radiological community.
A cross-sectional study in the form of an online questionnaire was developed to investigate occupational equity and demographic variables. This survey was disseminated to the heads of radiological departments in all Finnish public healthcare units and the largest radiological units within the private sector, with instructions to distribute to their medical staff. The questionnaire was accessible for responses from May 1 to June 16, 2024.
A total of 259 answers were received, representing 31% of all radiologists and residents working in Finland. Among the respondents, 137/259 (52.9%) identified as female, 118/259 (45.6%) male, and 1/259 (0.4%) other, with three choosing not to answer. A significant proportion, 63/259 (24.3%), reported having witnessed discriminatory behavior, while 41/259 (15.8%) had personally experienced discrimination. The prevalence of respondents having witnessed workplace discrimination was notably higher in female respondents (42/131, 32.1%) than in males (18/113, 15.9%) or others (0%) (p = 0.012). The most cited bases for discrimination included gender, opinion, age, and cultural background.
Perceived discrimination is prevalent within the Finnish radiological community. Gender was reported as the most common suspected grounds of perceived discriminatory behavior.
This study is the first to explore equity and diversity among radiologists in Finland. This broader approach offers a more comprehensive perspective, and the findings aim to support efforts toward greater inclusivity and equity within the field.
One-quarter of radiologists in Finland reported witnessing and one-sixth reported personally experiencing discrimination in the workplace. Gender was suspected to be the most common basis for discrimination, followed by differences in opinion, age, and cultural background. Respondents were largely unaware of whether the reported incidents had been addressed. Increasing transparency and communication may help reduce perceived discrimination.
医学专业人员之间的公平问题在最近的文献中已被广泛讨论。特别是性别不平等，在科学界是一个有充分文献记载的现象。芬兰放射学会进行了一项全国性调查，以评估芬兰放射科医生之间的公平情况，主要假设是放射学界普遍存在公平现象。
开展了一项以在线问卷形式的横断面研究，以调查职业公平和人口统计学变量。该调查已分发给芬兰所有公共医疗单位的放射科主任以及私营部门最大的放射科单位，并指示他们分发给其医务人员。问卷于2024年5月1日至6月16日期间可供回复。
共收到259份回复，占芬兰所有在职放射科医生和住院医生的31%。在受访者中，137/259（52.9%）为女性，118/259（45.6%）为男性，1/259（0.4%）为其他，有三人选择不回答。相当一部分人，63/259（24.3%）报告目睹过歧视行为，而41/259（15.8%）曾亲身经历过歧视。女性受访者中目睹工作场所歧视的比例（42/131，32.1%）明显高于男性（18/113，15.9%）或其他人群（0%）（p = 0.012）。最常被提及的歧视依据包括性别、观点、年龄和文化背景。
在芬兰放射学界，感知到的歧视现象普遍存在。据报告，性别是最常见的被认为存在歧视行为的可疑依据。
本研究首次探讨了芬兰放射科医生中的公平与多样性。这种更广泛的方法提供了更全面的视角，研究结果旨在支持该领域朝着更大的包容性和平等性所做的努力。
芬兰四分之一的放射科医生报告目睹过，六分之一报告亲身经历过工作场所的歧视。性别被怀疑是最常见的歧视依据，其次是观点、年龄和文化背景方面的差异。受访者大多不清楚所报告的事件是否得到处理。提高透明度和沟通可能有助于减少感知到的歧视。
