Exploring gender roles in German interventional radiology - how progressive are we?

Abstract

Purpose This article presents the results of a nationwide survey addressing the status quo of gender equality and family friendliness within German interventional radiology (IR) with a focus on clinical entry and career development. Materials and Methods All members of the German Society for Interventional Radiology and Minimally Invasive Therapy (DeGIR) were invited to participate in an online survey between November 2021 and February 2022. The survey consisted of 39 questions on demographic information, marital and parental status, experiences with entry and promotion in IR, family friendliness, and equality. A descriptive analysis of the responses was conducted. Results 197 surveys from female (n=76; 39%) and male (n=121; 61%) interventional radiologists at various stages of training and career were analyzed. Fewer female attending physicians (58%) and chiefs of departments (23%) lived with children compared to male attending physicians (76%) and chiefs of departments (55%). Fewer men (4%) than women (41%) were primarily responsible for childcare. More female (55%) than male (6%) attending physicians worked part-time. Women rated entry into IR as more difficult than men. 55% of women felt disadvantaged by their gender (men: 6%); this was due to assumptions that women perform less than men (46%), drop out due to family commitments (35%) and that men are promoted preferentially (19%). 54% believed that it is more difficult for women to combine work and family. The reasons for this are family commitments and lack of flexible work schedules and childcare. Parents with primary responsibility spent less than 50% of their working time on clinical interventions. Fathers from a younger generation were more likely to take parental leave than fathers of a previous generation (52% vs. 17%). Similar numbers of men (51%) and women (55%) planned to work part-time in the future. Conclusion There are gender-specific differences in the German IR. To ensure sustainable recruitment of young talent, measures such as the normalization of flexible work schedules should be introduced to create equal conditions for women and men, as well as mothers and fathers, and thus take changing (family) structures adequately into account. Key Points There are gender-specific differences in career entry/career development in German interventional radiology. Working conditions must be adapted to ensure the next generation. Changing family structures must be adequately taken into account.