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

Area of Science:

• Medical specialties
• Radiology
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Gender equality and family friendliness are critical for sustainable recruitment in German interventional radiology (IR).
• Previous assessments of these factors within the specialty are limited.
• Understanding the current status quo is essential for targeted improvements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the current state of gender equality and family friendliness in German IR.
• To analyze experiences related to clinical entry and career development for male and female interventional radiologists.
• To identify barriers and facilitators for work-life balance and career progression.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was distributed to all members of the German Society for Interventional Radiology and Minimally Invasive Therapy (DeGIR).
• The survey included 39 questions covering demographics, family status, career experiences, and perceptions of equality and family friendliness.
• Descriptive analysis was performed on 197 responses from female and male interventional radiologists.

Main Results:

• Significant gender-specific differences were observed in childcare responsibilities, part-time work prevalence, and perceived difficulty of career entry.
• Women reported higher rates of feeling disadvantaged due to gender-based assumptions about performance and family commitments.
• Fathers, particularly from younger generations, are increasingly taking parental leave, but primary caregivers spend less time on clinical interventions.

Conclusions:

• German interventional radiology exhibits clear gender-specific disparities in career progression and work-life balance.
• Adapting working conditions, including normalizing flexible schedules and childcare support, is vital for attracting and retaining the next generation of interventional radiologists.
• Acknowledging and accommodating changing family structures is imperative for achieving true gender equality in the field.