Egyptian Females in Interventional Radiology Field: A Different Experience at Ain Shams University Hospital

Background: Though the prevalence of female radiologists has increased in the past few decades, many countries still suffers from shortage of females in the IR field. This study discusses survey findings about the prevalence of female IRs in Egypt and describes the female IRs’ special experience at Ain Shams University Hospital in Cairo. Method(s): Telephone surveys were conducted with the head of IR departments in the largest 19 medical institutes in Egypt to determine the no. of females and the work system in their departments. Another survey was conducted with female radiology residents and fellows at Ain Shams University hospital in random fashion. The survey involved questions about marital and parental status, experiences in training and the reasons for joining this field. Result(s): .9 % (6 out of 101) of IR consultants,11.7% (10 out of 85) of IR fellows and 34.4% (21 out 61) of IR residents, in the surveyed 19 institutes representing Egypt, were females. 25.2% (24 out of 95) of IR consultants,28.2 % (24 out of 85) of IR fellows and 39.3 % (24 out of 61) of IR residents in Egypt were counted at Ain Shams University hospital where females make up 54 % (13 out of 24) of the IR residents and 25% (6 out of 24) of the IR fellows with no counted female IR consultants.30 surveys were completed with female radiologists at Ain Shams University hospital revealing an increase in their share in the IR field due to many reasons. Conclusion(s): Though the fact that many countries suffers from shortage of females in the IR field, the IR unit at Ain Shams University Hospitals is starting to show a different experience on the residents and fellows’ level and consequently on the consultant’s level in the near future.

Publication History

Article published online:
11 May 2021