Gender Disparity in Vietnamese Radiological Societies: a Preliminary Observational Study

INTRODUCTION: The advancement of gender equality within radiology, a predominantly male profession, has currently been a significant concern.

AIM: Therefore, in this original study, we aimed to investigate the gender disparity in Vietnamese radiological societies.

METHODS: No ethical committee or institutional review board approval was needed since the data were publicly available. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the faculties of four main radiological societies in Vietnam: Vietnamese society of radiology and nuclear medicine (VSRNM, n = 67); Radiological society of Ho Chi Minh City (RSHCM, n = 25); Vietnamese society of ultrasound in medicine (VSUM, n = 29); and Vietnamese society of interventional radiology (VSIR, n = 18).

RESULTS: There are significantly fewer women than men in faculties of four main radiological societies (15.1% vs. 84.9%). None of the women served as a professor and leader of any radiological societies. The women with a doctor of philosophy level are relatively low among the four main radiological societies. Also, female interventional and pediatric radiologists are seriously low among four main radiological societies.

CONCLUSIONS: In Vietnamese radiological societies, gender disparities exist, especially about educational degrees and professorship positions. Future studies are essential to address the underlying roots of the gender gap and aid in the implementation of gender diversity programs and policies.