Gender Differences in Diagnostic Radiology Practice: An Observational Study.

Abstract

To investigate gender differences in diagnostic radiology practice, specifically, the differences in scope of practice, the frequency of consultations to other colleagues, and the error rates. A retrospective observational study was performed including radiologists working for a European teleradiologyprovider between 2013 and 2019. Main outcome measures included the adjusted odds ratio of female gender for reporting cases in more than one subspecialty, the adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) of female gender for the count of second opinion requests to other colleagues, and the adjusted IRR of female gender for the count of radiologic errors. Multivariable adjustment was performed for covariates associated with experience, type of cases reported, part- or full-time employment, and reporting speed. A total of 213 radiologists (36% female) were included in the analysis of gender differences in scope of practice. Femalegender was associated with a lower odds of reporting cases in more than one subspecialty with an odds ratio of 0.46 (95%confidence interval, 0.22-0.96). A total of 204 radiologists (36% female) were included in the analysis of gender differences in the count of second opinion requests to colleagues. There was a trend toward an association between female gender and higherodds of requesting a second opinion with an adjusted IRR of 1.6 compared with male gender, but it was not statistically significant (P= .08). A total of 199 radiologists were included (37% female) in the analysis of gender differences in the number ofradiologic errors. Female gender was associated with a decrease in the odds of error with an IRR of 0.8 (95% confidence interval,0.64-0.995). Female radiologists tend to have a narrower scope of practice and make fewer mistakes than their male counterparts, even after detailed adjustment for factors that might explain gender differences in scope of practice and errors.