Lessons learned the hard way: Sharing experiences from female radiologists regarding gender inequality

Abstract

Radiology remains a male-dominated specialty, with women facing unique challenges across both academic and private practice settings. Prior research has documented many of these obstacles, which we explored further through the perspectives of 25 female radiology attendings. They shared experiences on key issues such as gender bias, discrimination, sexual harassment, mentorship, pregnancy, and work-life balance. Recurring themes emerged around the need for a supportive workplace culture, strong advocacy, and camaraderie. While significant progress has been made, there remains considerable work ahead to overcome these challenges and foster a more inclusive environment for women in the field of Radiology.We hope that sharing these open and candid conversations will raise awareness about the pervasive gender inequality in radiology, and will help foster a more inclusive and supportive environment, and contribute to meaningful changes in the workplace, paving the way for future generations of female radiologists.