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Rankin J, Bedrava J, Covington E, Johnson JL, Pollard-Larkin J, Schipper MJ, Castillo R, Woodward M, Xing YH, Paradis KC. Women in the Medical Physics Workforce: Insights from Membership Trends of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, 1993 to 2023. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 119:1336-1343. [PMID: 38387813 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Women remain underrepresented in medical physics in the United States, and determinants of persisting disparities remain unclear. Here, we performed a detailed investigation of American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) membership trajectories to evaluate trends in Full membership with respect to gender, age, and highest degree. METHODS AND MATERIALS Membership data, including gender, date of birth, highest degree, membership type, and years of active membership for 1993 to 2023 were obtained from AAPM. Group 1 included Full members who joined AAPM in 1993 or later. A subset of group 1 including only members who joined and left AAPM since 1993 (former members, group 1F) was used to calculate age at membership cessation and duration. Results were compared by gender and highest degree. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was also used to evaluate membership "survival" by age and highest degree. RESULTS Complete data were available for 6647 current and former Full members (group 1), including 2211 former members (group 1F). On average, women became Full members at a significantly younger age than men (34.6 vs 37.5 years of age, P < .001) and ended their memberships (if applicable) at a significantly younger age than men (46.1 vs 50.1 years of age, P < .001). The Kaplan-Meier "survival" analysis showed that for a given age, women were at a significantly greater risk of membership cessation than men, and women with master's degrees had the lowest membership survival of any gender/degree subgroup. When analyzing by membership duration, there was no difference in survival by gender alone. Still, women with PhDs were found to have the greatest membership survival among gender/degree subgroups. CONCLUSIONS Both gender and degree type influenced AAPM membership trajectories. Although we have offered a discussion of possible explanations, qualitative data collected from both continuing and departing AAPM members will be critical in the ongoing journey toward gender parity in the profession of medical physics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jenna Bedrava
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Elizabeth Covington
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Julianne Pollard-Larkin
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Matthew J Schipper
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Richard Castillo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Yan-Hong Xing
- American Association of Physicists in Medicine, Alexandria, VA
| | - Kelly C Paradis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Bertholet J, Carlson DJ, Aznar MC. Membership Data From Scientific and Professional Societies: An Ally in the Quest to Improve the Retention of Women in Medical Physics and Radiation Oncology Societies. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 119:1344-1346. [PMID: 39038908 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.02.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Bertholet
- Division of Medical Radiation Physics and Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - David J Carlson
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Marianne C Aznar
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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3
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Maina NM, Miled N, Crump M. Self-identification and workplace experience surveys for equity and inclusion in healthcare. Healthc Manage Forum 2024:8404704241266139. [PMID: 39047287 DOI: 10.1177/08404704241266139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Data and evaluation have become integral to efforts aimed at transforming organizational cultures. This is true in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), where organizations are assessing their employee make-up and the impact of their programs and services on systematically marginalized communities. This article presents a case study of a self-identification and workplace experience survey that was the first of its kind at the Provincial Health Services Authority in British Columbia. With a 30.7% response rate, we share an overview of the survey, lessons learned, and recommendations for other healthcare institutions embarking on their DEI journey. Key takeaways include engaging leaders early and allowing adequate time and resources for planning and executing the survey. Confidentiality is a crucial element to ensure that everyone feels confident to take the survey. Ultimately, adequate implementation of actions from survey results will build trust among staff and advance DEI priorities in organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Mumbi Maina
- Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Neila Miled
- Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Fagerstrom JM, Windsor C, Zaks D. Equity, diversity, and inclusion topics at a medical physics residency journal club. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2023; 24:e14126. [PMID: 37583276 PMCID: PMC10476978 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.14126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
A journal club program was initiated in a clinically focused, geographically distributed medical physics therapy residency program. This program currently supports two residents at different clinical sites, who regularly present at the new journal club. For one of the sessions, residents were assigned to present on topics related to the broad themes of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the context of medical physics, radiation oncology, or medical oncology. As in other journal club sessions, residents were responsible for choosing their respective articles within required criteria and with approval from the program director. The session was executed in late 2022, with both residents leading and facilitating discussion for the residents, the residency program director, and all residency faculty members. This education case report will include the learning objectives for the journal club session, a description of the content covered in the session, discussion regarding the session's alignment with the original learning objectives, and ideas for program directors intending to include evidence-based EDI topics in journal clubs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel Zaks
- Northwest Medical Physics CenterLynnwoodWashingtonUSA
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Cetnar AJ, DiCostanzo DJ, Weldon M, Swanson AE, Mathews J, Gupta N. Blinding of Residency Applications in Medical Physics: Promises and Pitfalls. Adv Radiat Oncol 2023; 8:101242. [PMID: 37250285 PMCID: PMC10209683 DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2023.101242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The feasibility of blinding applications for a medical physics residency program has yet to be demonstrated in the literature. We explore the application of an automated approach with human review and intervention to blind applications during the annual medical physics residency review cycle. Methods and Materials Applications were blinded using an automated process and used for the first phase of residency review in the program. We retrospectively compared self-reported demographic and gender data with blinded and nonblinded cohorts from 2 sequential years of review from a medical physics residency program. Demographic data were analyzed comparing applicants with candidates selected to move to the next phase of the review process. Interrater agreement was also evaluated from the applicant reviewers. Results We show the feasibility of blinding applications for a medical physics residency program. We observed no more than a 3% difference between the gender selection within the first phase of application review but greater differences when examining race and ethnicity between the 2 methods. The greatest difference was shown to be between Asian and White candidates, where there are statistical differences in the scores in the rubric categories of essay and overall impression. Conclusions We suggest that each training program critically evaluate its selection criteria for potential sources of bias within the review process. We recommend further critical investigation of processes to promote equity and inclusion to ensure the methods and outcomes are aligned with the mission of the program. Finally, we recommend that the common application provide an option for blinding applications at the source so this can be an option to facilitate efforts for evaluating unconscious bias in the review process.
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Paradis KC, Moran JM, Hendrickson KRG. Women in Medical Physics. Med Phys 2023; 50 Suppl 1:80-84. [PMID: 37428589 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly C Paradis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Pollard-Larkin JM, Roth TM, Seuntjens J, Ngwa W, Avery S, Osterman S, Rivera J, Perez-Andujar A, Castillo R. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Are Essential in Medical Physics. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 116:290-294. [PMID: 37179089 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Toni M Roth
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois
| | - Jan Seuntjens
- Department of Medical Physics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre & University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wilfred Ngwa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stephen Avery
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sunshine Osterman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York
| | - Judith Rivera
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | | | - Richard Castillo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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Lenards N. Diversity of medical dosimetry applicants and graduates. Med Dosim 2023; 48:225-230. [PMID: 37225598 DOI: 10.1016/j.meddos.2023.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Diversity is a critical component in the advancement of human endeavor in science. Students who complete their education and training at diverse schools can serve patients from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds and promote cross-cultural competence. However, developing a diverse environment of professionals is a long-term effort which often takes generations to complete. Increasing awareness of underrepresented genders and/or minorities helps to establish goals for building a future of improved diversity. Specific to radiation oncology, professions such as medical physicists and radiation oncology physicians have reported underrepresented females and minorities. The problem is that there is a paucity of literature regarding diversity of medical dosimetry professionals. The professional organization does not track diversity data for those members currently working in the profession. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to present aggregate data demonstrating the diversity of medical dosimetry applicants and graduates. The methodology involved quantitative data collection from medical dosimetry program directors which answered the research question, what is the diversity of medical dosimetry applicants and graduates? In comparison to the U.S. population, there were less applicant and accepted students of Hispanic/Latino and African American ethnicities whereas the Asian population was higher. While the U.S. population data reveals 3% more females, there were 35% more female than male applicant and accepted students in this study. However, the results differ significantly from medical physics and radiation oncology physicians with only 30% female clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishele Lenards
- Medical Dosimetry Program, The University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI, USA
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Wahab RA, Oluyemi E, Jackson T, Feliciano-Rivera YZ, Roubidoux M, Zhang B, Mehta TS. A Needs Assessment for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity: Survey Results of the Society of Breast Imaging. JOURNAL OF BREAST IMAGING 2023; 5:56-66. [PMID: 38416964 DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbac070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess and understand the inclusion, diversity, and equity (IDE) needs of the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) membership to guide development of a strategic plan and goals for the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity Alliance (IDEA) of SBI. METHODS A 23-question survey developed by IDEA was distributed electronically to all SBI members in November 2020 to assess and understand the society's IDE needs. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the responses. Open-ended responses were reviewed by the authors and sorted into three categories: supportive, nonsupportive, or neutral suggestions. RESULTS The response rate was 12% (453/3686). Only 55% (238/429) of respondents agreed that the diversity of SBI leadership reflected the diversity of the society, with stronger agreement that actions of SBI aligned with their core values of collaboration and collegiality (327/249,75%), and of respect for diversity and inclusiveness (303/429, 70%). Overall, 65% (172/264) of respondents were satisfied with the quality and diversity of speakers at the annual symposium; however, White respondents agreed more compared to non-White respondents (P = 0.035), and those practicing greater than 20 years agreed more compared to those practicing 6 to 10 years (P = 0.023). Of 88 total suggestions, three common themes were: more resources for recruitment, retention, and education for a diverse staff; further increase in diversity among leadership and membership; and more patient care resources. CONCLUSION In addition to showing areas of agreement by SBI members, this survey also identified opportunities for SBI and IDEA to further incorporate IDE into our initiatives and organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rifat A Wahab
- University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Department of Radiology, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Eni Oluyemi
- Johns Hopkins Medicine School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Marilyn Roubidoux
- University of Michigan Health Systems, Division of Breast Imaging, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Tejas S Mehta
- University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Department of Radiology, Worcester, MA, USA
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Aldosary G, Koo M, Barta R, Ozard S, Menon G, Thomas CG, Lee Y, Octave N, Xu Y, Baxter P, McEwen M, Hendrickson KRG, Pollard-Larkin J, Surry K. A First Look at Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion of Canadian Medical Physicists: Results From the 2021 COMP EDI Climate Survey. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 116:305-313. [PMID: 36724859 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In 2021, the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP) conducted its first equity, diversity, and inclusion Climate Survey. The membership's experiences of inclusion, belonging, professional opportunities, discrimination, microaggressions, racism, and harassment in their professional lives are presented. METHODS AND MATERIALS The ethics-reviewed survey was distributed in English and French to full members of COMP. Participants responded to questions covering demographics and professional climate. Simple descriptive statistics were used to measure frequency of responses. Data pertaining to impressions on the climate within the profession were compared using nonparametric statistical tests. RESULTS The survey was distributed to 649 eligible members; 243 (37%) responded, and 214 (33%) provided full response sets. From the full response sets, findings showed that in general, age, highest academic degree, and racial and ethnic distribution trends of medical physicists were comparable with previously collected data and/or the Canadian population. The experiences of respondents relating to harassment in the workplace and perception of climate are reported and provide a useful benchmark for future assessments of interventions or training programs. In the workplace, fewer women (58%) reported having professional opportunities compared with men (70%). The survey also found that 17% of respondents (most of whom were women) directly or indirectly experienced sexual harassment in the workplace within the past 5 years. Finding that 23% of survey respondents identified as having a disability is a valuable reminder that accommodations in the workplace are necessary for more than 1 in every 5 medical physicists working in clinics. CONCLUSIONS This study provided insight into the diversity and experiences of medical physicists in Canada. The majority of respondents had positive perceptions about their professional environment. However, equity-lacking groups were identified, such as women, underrepresented minorities, Indigenous peoples, and people with visible and invisible disabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghada Aldosary
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Radiation Oncology Section, Department of Oncology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Meghan Koo
- Department of Physics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Radim Barta
- Department of Medical Physics, Grande Prairie Cancer Center, Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
| | - Siobhan Ozard
- 103-991 McKenzie Ave, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Geetha Menon
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christopher G Thomas
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Medical Physics, Nova Scotia Health, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Radiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Young Lee
- Elekta Oncology Systems, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nadia Octave
- Service de Radio-oncologie Center Regional Integre de Cancerologie du CISSS Chaudiere-Appalaches, Levis, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yiwen Xu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patricia Baxter
- Vancouver Island Health Authority, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Malcolm McEwen
- National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Julianne Pollard-Larkin
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Kathleen Surry
- London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Hedrick SG, Richardson S. EDI and open access: How JACMP is the future of ethical publishing—A tale in two parts. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2022; 23:e13818. [DOI: 10.1002/acm2.13818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan Richardson
- Department of Radiation Oncology Swedish Medical Center – Tumor Institute Seattle Washington USA
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