Women are significantly underrepresented in radiology, comprising a much smaller proportion of the field compared to their overall presence in medical schools.
1 This disparity is especially pronounced in
leadership roles, where female representation is even more scarce.
2 Several factors are thought to contribute to this gap, including a lack of gender-matched mentors, outdated cultural norms and enduring misconceptions about radiology.
3–5 These myths can discourage female students from
exploring radiology as a career.
6 Only through challenging these misconceptions and driving actionable change can future generations of women imagine themselves as leaders in radiology, paving the way for the realization of greater female representation across all levels of the profession.
One enduring myth about radiology is the notion that every day is spent in isolation, disconnected from patients and solely focused on interpreting images. Monisha Shetty, MD, Clinical Director of Genitourinary Radiology at Beaumont Health and Associate Professor at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in Michigan, offers a refreshing counter-narrative. She highlights the intellectually stimulating aspects of radiology and underscores its strong connection to patient care.
“What I love about the field is the puzzle solving, the idea that every day you’re encountering mysteries and every image you look at is essentially an untold story of a patient,” Dr. Shetty explains. “Even if you don’t always have direct patient contact, knowing that your interpretations are hopefully positively impacting the patient’s care experience is very satisfying and professionally fulfilling.”
Her perspective emphasizes how the impact and work of a radiologist extends beyond reading images and spotlights the collaborative, essential role radiologists play within the healthcare team. By urging students to “connect with radiologists at different stages in their careers,” Dr. Shetty stresses the value of female mentorship and gaining first-hand insights to fully understand the day-to-day life of a radiologist and what aspects they find most fulfilling.
Another myth regarding radiology is the idea that every physician entering the field must fit a specific mold, which is particularly discouraging for women due to broader sociological and psychological complexities. As discussed in the
2021 ACR® Moreton Lecture, gender bias and stereotypes ascribed to and valued in women can influence how women are perceived in medicine and how they perceive themselves within the field. This can introduce unconscious biases that may hinder female students from believing they can succeed as a radiologist in the first place.
5
Dr. Shetty dispels this misconception by emphasizing her own background in philosophy, noting that for her, it fueled her curiosity and exploration of radiology. “Be your authentic self,” she advises, noting that diverse interests and experiences enrich the field. Similarly, as Chair of the Association of Academic Radiology Arts and Humanities in Radiology Interest Group, Erin Cooke, MD, merges her passion for art with radiology, illustrating how diverse backgrounds can lead to greater personal and professional fulfillment. Leaders like Drs. Shetty and Cooke exemplify how radiology embraces individuality and thrives on diversity.
A third misconception is that radiology is not family-friendly, deterring women who seek work-life balance. While this stereotype is fading due to
policy changes, it persists for some, who assume that the demands of long hours, arduous shifts and on-call duties make it challenging to balance a successful radiology career with family priorities. Dr. Shetty’s experiences confront this notion as she balances multiple leadership roles with a fulfilling personal life, including spending time with her 12-year-old twins. She also pursues hobbies outside of medicine, such as baking, reading and playing acoustic guitar.
Many radiologists achieve a similar balance between professional and personal priorities.7 Furthermore, initiatives like the
12-week paid family/medical leave resolution in 2022 by the ACR Council, championed by leaders from the American Association for Women Radiologists (AAWR) including Elizabeth K. Arleo, MD, FACR, signals progress toward work-life balance in radiology.
Efforts to dispel myths about radiology are gaining momentum through programs like the Pipeline Initiative for the Enrichment of Radiology by the ACR Commission for Women and Diversity, conference events such as the Chicagoland Radiology Expo and online education initiatives like the AAWR Mythbuster Social Media Campaign.
While these initiatives are vital beginning steps, further strides are necessary to build a more inclusive and uplifting future for women in radiology, including addressing systemic barriers and implicit bias, increasing female leadership representation, additional policies to improve work-life balance and expanded mentorship programs.
The perspectives of Dr. Shetty and other female radiologists provide a powerful counter to the misconceptions that perpetuate in this field. As Dr. Shetty notes, “The more diverse voices that you have at a table, the more complete your approach to any problem or issue will be.”
References
- Adham, S., Rybicki, F.J., et al. “Analysis of Gender Disparity in U.S. and Canadian Radiology Residency Programs,” Current Problems Diagnostic Radiology, 2022;51(1):21–24. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0363018821000402?via%3Dihub. Accessed Jan. 2, 2025.
- Weigel, K.S., Kubik-Huch, R.A., et al. “Women in Radiology: Why Is the Pipeline Still Leaking and How Can We Plug It?” Acta Radiologica, 2019;61(6):743–748. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0284185119881723. Accessed Jan. 2, 2025.
- Lawley, M., Dobson, J., et al. “Gender Distribution of Faculty Is Strongly Correlated With Resident Gender at Canadian Radiology Residency Programs,” Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal, 2022;73(3):486–490. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/08465371211069325. Accessed Jan. 2, 2025.
- Winkel, A.F., Telzak, B., et al. “The Role of Gender in Careers in Medicine: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Literature,” Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2021;36(8):2392–2399. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11606-021-06836-z. Accessed Jan. 2, 2025.
- Kubik-Huch, R.A., Vilgrain, V., et al. “Women in Radiology: Gender Diversity Is Not a Metric — It Is a Tool for Excellence,” European Radiology, 2020;30(3):1644–1652. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00330-019-06493-1. Accessed Jan. 2, 2025.
- Murray, L., Ni Mhuircheartaigh, J. “Female Interns Are Not Choosing Radiology as a Career —National Survey Providing Insights Into Gender Imbalance,” European Radiology, 2024. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00330-024-10943-w. Accessed Jan. 2, 2025.
- Haridass, S., Kalva, S., et al. “A Survey on Factors Influencing the Work-Family-Health Balance of an Interventional Radiologist,” Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging. 2024;34(1):60–68. Available at: https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0043-1772694. Accessed Jan. 2, 2025.
