Improving Diversity, Inclusion, and Representation in Radiology and Radiation Oncology Part 1: Why These Matter

Abstract

The ACR Commission for Women and General Diversity is committed to identifying barriers to a diverse physician workforce in radiology and radiation oncology (RRO), and to offering policy recommendations to overcome these barriers. In Part 1 of a 2-part position article from the commission, diversity as a concept and its dimensions of personality, character, ethnicity, biology, biography, and organization are introduced. Terms commonly used to describe diverse individuals and groups are reviewed. The history of diversity and inclusion in US society and health care are addressed. The post–Civil Rights Era evolution of diversity in medicine is delineated: Diversity 1.0, with basic awareness, nondiscrimination, and recruitment; Diversity 2.0, with appreciation of the value of diversity but inclusion as peripheral or in opposition to other goals; and Diversity 3.0, which integrates diversity and inclusion into core missions of organizations and their leadership, and leverages its potential for innovation and contribution. The current states of diversity and inclusion in RRO are reviewed in regard to gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The lack of representation and unchanged demographics in these fields relative to other medical specialties are explored. The business case for diversity is discussed, with examples of successful models and potential application to the health care industry in general and to RRO. The moral, ethical, and public health imperative for diversity is also highlighted.

The state of gender diversity in medical physics

“…The benefits of diversity within higher education and the field of medicine have been widely studied. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Gurin et al 2 demonstrated a positive relationship between interaction with a diverse set of peers and educational outcomes in undergraduate education. Educational benefits of diversity have been documented in medical school for both white and underrepresented minority students: a survey of white medical students who attended programs with the highest quintile for racial and ethnic diversity were "more likely to rate themselves as highly prepared to care for minority populations compared with those from schools in the lowest quintile for diversity."…”

Are Female Radiation Oncologists Still Underrepresented in the Published Literature? An Analysis of Authorship Trends During the Past Decade

“…Diversity serves as a catalyst for creativity and generates opportunities to embrace new perspectives. 8,9 To harness such wealth, inequities, including those based on gender, must be swiftly addressed. 6 Authorship patterns may also be affected by implicit bias among reviewers.…”

Addressing Needs of Women Radiologists: Opportunities for Practice Leaders to Facilitate Change

“…Radiology leaders committed to increasing gender diversity and fostering an inclusive workplace have the opportunity to strengthen their organizations. Developing a radiology culture supportive of the needs of women and conducive to physician well-being will broaden radiology's horizons by improving workplace innovation, growth, and collaboration (2).…”