Abstract No. 486 Scholarly trends in interventional radiology: an analysis of U.S. female authorship in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology

Abstract

Purpose: The tremendous popularity of the new integrated interventional radiology (IR) and diagnostic radiology residency highlights the importance of medical student outreach to promote a diverse new generation of trainees. In order to promote women in IR, and attract female applicants directly from medical school, the Women in IR committee (WIR) of the Resident Fellow and Student Section (RFS) of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) started accepting female and honorary male medical student members in March 2018. We aimed to assess the interests and goals of medical students joining WIR to better address their needs and to guide future recruitment. Materials: This retrospective study analyzed the WIR registration form responses during a 4-week recruitment period. Prior to medical student recruitment, WIR had 38 active female resident and fellow members. Recruitment banners were sent to the RFS medical students and posted on the RFS website and social media accounts. Results: Among 43 students who registered, 7%, 28%, 37% and 28% were first, second, third and fourth year students, respectively. 19% were males. When asked to select any committee activities in which they were interested, the majority indicated research (93%), educational activities (86%), publishing articles online (60%), organizing events (58%), and leading new projects (53%). When asked their goals in joining WIR, female students wanted to promote WIR (69%), network (63%), build mentorship (31%), seek more opportunities (26%), address barriers for women (23%), and make an impact in IR (23%); male students wanted to support WIR (100%), address barriers (50%), and advance IR with diversity and inclusion (50%). Conclusions: Medical students showed robust interests in joining WIR. Both female and male students expressed interests in promoting WIR and addressing barriers for the gender gap. Female students expressed interests in increasing networking, mentorship, and opportunities in IR. Male students emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion. Recruiting medical students into SIR committees and providing networking, mentorship, and projects may attract both more female and male medical students into the field.