Female interns are not choosing radiology as a career-national survey providing insights into gender imbalance.

Objectives: Women are under-represented in Radiology, both globally and in Ireland. An annual review of the medical workforce in Ireland for the year 2021-2022 revealed that although the overall gender breakdown of trainees is similar, with 56% female and 44% male trainees, certain specialities have disproportionate numbers of a given gender. Females only account for 38% of Irish Radiology trainees, one of the lowest of all the specialties. The cause for this disparity is likely multifactorial, but a lack of interest in applying for Radiology training by female doctors is a possible cause. The objectives of this study were to identify specific factors that attract or deter intern doctors from considering a career in Radiology and to identify underlying gender-specific differences.

Materials and methods: Anonymous online surveys were distributed to 50% of the intern population in Ireland between May and June 2022. The survey included questions on demographics, prior radiology exposure, and dedicated multiple-choice questions for those either considering or not considering radiology, which were subdivided into potentially influencing factors.

Results: Two-hundred-seven interns responded giving a response rate of 48.3%, which totalled almost 25% of the interns in Ireland. For those interns considering radiology, significantly more male interns (n = 24/67, 35.8%) are considering radiology compared with females (n = 26/139, 18.71%), (p  < 0.009). Significantly more females were deterred by the perception of radiology as a male-based speciality (p < 0.004).

Conclusion: Significantly fewer females are considering radiology, deterred by physics knowledge, use of technology, and, significantly, by the perception of radiology as a male-dominated speciality.

Clinical relevance statement: This survey highlights important reasons that female interns are deterred from radiology. It will help direct future medical training and doctor recruitment policies, with a view to addressing the ongoing gender disparity in the Irish radiology workforce.

Key points: Women are under-represented in the Irish and global Radiology workforce. Female interns are dissuaded from Radiology as a career by their perception of Radiology as male-dominated. This survey will shape medical training and doctor recruitment policies to improve gender diversity in radiology.