March 12, 2024

Using Social Media to Elevate DEI Efforts in Radiology

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Kelvin Zhou, MS-3, Baylor College of Medicine

Social media has evolved beyond a tool for personal connections. It is now a powerful platform that facilitates professional networking, knowledge sharing and educational outreach.1 If you are savvy with social media, one goal to consider is the promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the field. The benefits of diversity in the reading room cannot be overstated.

Diverse teams demonstrate more effective communication, better adaptability to innovation and greater problem-solving capabilities. Furthermore, new technologies in radiology, like AI, can either ameliorate or exacerbate existing health inequities.2 Therefore, improving DEI in radiology is not only a commitment to the specialty but also to patient care.

The disparity in diversity spans gender, race, and ethnicity, and potentially other dimensions of identity, such as disability. While progress is still needed, radiology is making strides, such as increasing representation of women and Asians in academic radiology.3

Social media is a unique tool for promoting DEI efforts to untapped audiences, even without explicitly labeling posts as DEI. Barriers to the field of radiology often begin with students who have limited exposure to the specialty.4 Lack of exposure to a career in radiology should never close the door to a future in the field for an underrepresented student. False stereotypes may also play a role in negative perception. Engagement through social media can allow medical students a better understanding of radiology and clarification of misconceptions.

Another valuable aspect of social media is its ability to connect trainees with diverse mentors.5 Mentors with similar backgrounds can provide crucial guidance and share opportunities for advancement. Social media overcomes geographical and institutional barriers, making mentorship more accessible.

Alongside one-on-one relationships, virtual platforms can function to elevate historically marginalized voices in the specialty. Even though women only comprise 23% of the radiology workforce and a smaller percentage of radiology leadership, they make up 40% of top influential social media figures in the field.6 This opens up the space to discuss and advocate DEI efforts.

Social media is also important for showcasing existing and planned DEI efforts from institutions, especially residency programs. Prospective trainees in radiology shouldn’t have to wait for interviews or in-person opportunities to learn about improvements to representation in a particular program. Posting on platforms allows for real-time snapshots of existing initiatives. In fact, social media posts about DEI are increasingly being recognized among radiology residency programs.7

Altogether, prioritizing DEI is imperative to the healthcare field, now and in the future. Radiology is clearly no exception. The specialty is in a unique position to make important changes. Part of the process starts with normalizing the value of DEI in training and the workplace. Fortunately, social media platforms are an accessible means to engaging these necessary conversations.

References

  1. DeBenedectis, C.M., Heitkamp, D.E., England, E., et al. “A Program Director’s Guide to Cultivating Diversity and Inclusion in Radiology Residency Recruitment,” Academic Radiology, 2020; 27:6, 864–867. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acra.2019.07.027. Accessed Feb. 8, 2024.
  2. Doo, F.X., and McGinty, G.B. “Building Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Within Radiology Artificial Intelligence: Representation Matters, From Data to the Workforce,” Journal of the American College of Radiology, 2023; 20:9, 852–856. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2023.06.014. Accessed Feb. 8, 2024.
  3. Choe, A.I., Krause, K., Costigan, H., et al. “Current Perception of Diversity in Academic Radiology: A Mixed Methods Study of Radiology Program Directors,” Academic Radiology, 2023; 30:7, 1465–1471. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acra.2022.08.022. Accessed Feb. 8, 2024.
  4. Grimm, L.J., Fish, L.J., Carrico, C.W., et al. “Radiology Stereotypes, Application Barriers, and Hospital Integration: A Mixed-Methods Study of Medical Student Perceptions of Radiology,” Academic Radiology, 2022; 29:7, 1108–1115. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acra.2021.08.020. Accessed Feb. 8, 2024.
  5. Klontzas, M.E., Jean, J., Turner, V.L., et al. “Why and How to Increase Diversity in the Radiology Trainee Workforce,” RadioGraphics, 2022; 42:3. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.220007
  6. Jabal, M.S., Ramadan, D., Ibrahim, M.K., et al. “Influential Radiology Figures and Organizations in Social Media,” Journal of the American College of Radiology, 2023; 20:12, 1277–1286. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2023.02.037. Accessed Feb. 8, 2024.
  7. Johnson, J.L., Bhatia, N., West, D.L., et al. “Leveraging Social Media and Web Presence to Discuss and Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Radiology,” Journal of the American College of Radiology, 2022; 19:1, 207–212. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2021.09.020. Accessed Feb. 8, 2024.