The Society for Women in Radiation Oncology Medical Physicists: Where Are We Five Years Later?

Abstract

Background A better understanding of the personal experiences of women and gender minorities in medical physics is needed to ensure the vitality of the radiation oncology (RO) workforce. Founded in 2017, the Society for Women in Radiation Oncology (SWRO) sought to promote gender equity in RO and includes both physician and medical physicist members. Methods From January to February 2023, an anonymous 82-question survey was conducted among all current SWRO members, including both physicians and medical physicists, via the SWRO email listserv. Survey questions covered demographics, family planning, mentorship, well-being, perceptions of SWRO membership, and perceptions of the RO field. A sub-analysis was performed on the survey responses from medical physicists. Descriptive statistics were utilized to summarize the findings. Results In this sub-analysis of physicists, 20 of 26 physicist members (77% participation rate), including 15 medical physicists and five resident physicists, completed the survey. The majority of survey respondents were in the 31-35 year old age group (35%) and female (95%). The top three limitations of academic productivity reported included clinical responsibilities (34%), insufficient mentorship (26%), and insufficient funding (16%). Twenty-eight percent of respondents reported feeling somewhat or extremely satisfied with the mentorship available at their institution, while 60% reported being somewhat or extremely satisfied with female mentorship in the field. Thirty-nine percent of respondents perceived gender-specific biases or obstacles within their program. Among respondents, 44% reported unwanted sexual comments, attention, or advances by colleagues or superiors. Suggested areas for improvement included increasing education on career development, promoting greater physics representation within SWRO, enhancing integration of physics and RO events, and increasing opportunities for in-person interaction. Conclusion This sub-analysis of a broader SWRO survey presents the perspectives of women and gender minority physicists within RO, highlighting shared opportunities for improvement between RO physicians and physicists regarding female mentorship and gender-based challenges. This supports the importance of organizations such as SWRO in promoting representation and gender equity in RO.