Establishing a Women-in-Radiology Group: A Toolkit From the American Association for Women in Radiology

Abstract

Despite increasing representation in medical schools and surgical specialties, recruitment of women into radiology has failed to exhibit commensurate growth. Furthermore, women are less likely than men to advance to leadership roles in radiology. A women-in-radiology (WIR) group provides a robust support system that has been shown to produce numerous benefits to the group's individual participants as well as the group's institution or practice. These benefits include development of mentor-ship relationships, guidance of career trajectories, improved camaraderie, increased participation in scholarly projects, and increased awareness of gender-specific issues. This article describes a recommended pathway to establishing a WIR group, with the goal of fostering sponsorship and promoting leadership, recruitment, and advancement of women in radiology. We consider barriers to implementation and review resources to facilitate success, including a range of resources provided by the American Association for Women in Radiology. By implementing the provided framework, radiologists at any career stage can start a WIR group, to promote the advancement of their female colleagues.