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.
