Examining Barriers to Practice in Genitourinary and Gynecologic Radiation Oncology: Results from 2 Nationwide Surveys
Purpose: Gender diversity in academic radiation oncology (RO) has become a topic of interest in recent years, with studies showing that practicing female academic radiation oncologists (AROs) are outnumbered by male colleagues at a rate of approximately 3:1. Gender differences are also observed in s...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Advances in Radiation Oncology |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452109425001356 |
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| author | Patrick Doyle, MS Neha Vapiwala, MD, FACR, FASTRO, FASCO Mutlay Sayan, MD Miranda Lam, MD, MBA Shalini Moningi, MD |
| author_facet | Patrick Doyle, MS Neha Vapiwala, MD, FACR, FASTRO, FASCO Mutlay Sayan, MD Miranda Lam, MD, MBA Shalini Moningi, MD |
| author_sort | Patrick Doyle, MS |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose: Gender diversity in academic radiation oncology (RO) has become a topic of interest in recent years, with studies showing that practicing female academic radiation oncologists (AROs) are outnumbered by male colleagues at a rate of approximately 3:1. Gender differences are also observed in subspecialties whose patient populations are overwhelmingly of a single gender, such as genitourinary (GU) and gynecologic (GYN) RO. We aimed to investigate whether challenges exist for academic RO physicians who primarily treat patients of another gender, and, if so, what barriers they face in practice. Methods and Materials: We conducted 2 national surveys of female GU academic RO physicians and male GYN academic RO physicians working at Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited academic centers. Survey questions focused on career path, challenges faced, and barriers to practicing GU or GYN oncology. Results: A total of 13/42 (30.2%) GU survey recipients responded as treating GU oncology and 31/77 (40.3%) GYN survey recipients responded as treating GYN oncology. Of these respondents, 9 GU and 3 GYN physicians reported facing challenges as an academic RO faculty member because of their gender identity, and 5 GU and 4 GYN physicians reported that their subspecialty specifically presented challenges. Neither group commonly reported difficulties developing trust and rapport with patients. In the GU academic RO group, reports of challenging relationships with other professional colleagues were common. Difficulties finding or serving as a mentor were also common in both groups. Conclusions: Female GU AROs and male GYN AROs may face unique challenges. Identifying and understanding these challenges directly from practicing physicians are important steps in improving professional success, career satisfaction, and clinical care quality. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0ad7affb74dd4c6d82cebac2c49e3fd8 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2452-1094 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Advances in Radiation Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-0ad7affb74dd4c6d82cebac2c49e3fd82025-07-26T05:23:36ZengElsevierAdvances in Radiation Oncology2452-10942025-09-01109101848Examining Barriers to Practice in Genitourinary and Gynecologic Radiation Oncology: Results from 2 Nationwide SurveysPatrick Doyle, MS0Neha Vapiwala, MD, FACR, FASTRO, FASCO1Mutlay Sayan, MD2Miranda Lam, MD, MBA3Shalini Moningi, MD4Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital / Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Corresponding author: Patrick Doyle, MSDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital / Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MassachusettsDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital / Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MassachusettsDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital / Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MassachusettsPurpose: Gender diversity in academic radiation oncology (RO) has become a topic of interest in recent years, with studies showing that practicing female academic radiation oncologists (AROs) are outnumbered by male colleagues at a rate of approximately 3:1. Gender differences are also observed in subspecialties whose patient populations are overwhelmingly of a single gender, such as genitourinary (GU) and gynecologic (GYN) RO. We aimed to investigate whether challenges exist for academic RO physicians who primarily treat patients of another gender, and, if so, what barriers they face in practice. Methods and Materials: We conducted 2 national surveys of female GU academic RO physicians and male GYN academic RO physicians working at Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited academic centers. Survey questions focused on career path, challenges faced, and barriers to practicing GU or GYN oncology. Results: A total of 13/42 (30.2%) GU survey recipients responded as treating GU oncology and 31/77 (40.3%) GYN survey recipients responded as treating GYN oncology. Of these respondents, 9 GU and 3 GYN physicians reported facing challenges as an academic RO faculty member because of their gender identity, and 5 GU and 4 GYN physicians reported that their subspecialty specifically presented challenges. Neither group commonly reported difficulties developing trust and rapport with patients. In the GU academic RO group, reports of challenging relationships with other professional colleagues were common. Difficulties finding or serving as a mentor were also common in both groups. Conclusions: Female GU AROs and male GYN AROs may face unique challenges. Identifying and understanding these challenges directly from practicing physicians are important steps in improving professional success, career satisfaction, and clinical care quality.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452109425001356 |
| spellingShingle | Patrick Doyle, MS Neha Vapiwala, MD, FACR, FASTRO, FASCO Mutlay Sayan, MD Miranda Lam, MD, MBA Shalini Moningi, MD Examining Barriers to Practice in Genitourinary and Gynecologic Radiation Oncology: Results from 2 Nationwide Surveys Advances in Radiation Oncology |
| title | Examining Barriers to Practice in Genitourinary and Gynecologic Radiation Oncology: Results from 2 Nationwide Surveys |
| title_full | Examining Barriers to Practice in Genitourinary and Gynecologic Radiation Oncology: Results from 2 Nationwide Surveys |
| title_fullStr | Examining Barriers to Practice in Genitourinary and Gynecologic Radiation Oncology: Results from 2 Nationwide Surveys |
| title_full_unstemmed | Examining Barriers to Practice in Genitourinary and Gynecologic Radiation Oncology: Results from 2 Nationwide Surveys |
| title_short | Examining Barriers to Practice in Genitourinary and Gynecologic Radiation Oncology: Results from 2 Nationwide Surveys |
| title_sort | examining barriers to practice in genitourinary and gynecologic radiation oncology results from 2 nationwide surveys |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452109425001356 |
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