Aim: This retrospective study aims to compare the postgraduate thesis characteristics from various sources in the field of radiology.
Methods: This was a retrospective study evaluating data that is publicly available online and at libraries and institutional review board approval, as such, was not demanded. We selected 40 published theses from the library of Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine and University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi Medical University in Vietnam which graduated from 2008 to 2018. Of these, there were 10 PhD, 10 specialists II, 10 master's, and 10 residency theses selected.
Results: A total of 40 theses were analyzed from participants with a median age of 36.5. The male/female ratio was 23/17. Most of the theses were subspecialty in diagnostic radiology (87.5%) and focused on pathological radiology (95%). Adult patients were the major objectives of the theses accounted for 87.5% with predominant materials of magnetic resonance imaging counted for 47.5%. Theses in PhD group were the largest items regarding the total number of pages as well as the number of figures, and the number of references. Nonetheless, both domestic and international publications related to all theses were truly low.
Conclusion: The postgraduate thesis of radiology in Vietnam has many different forms but mainly focuses on diagnostic and pathological radiology with materials of magnetic resonance imaging in adults. The number of international publications regarding the thesis was very small.
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.