Demographics of ASTRO Student Members and Potential Implications for Future US Radiation Oncology Workforce Diversity

ABSTRACT Background The United States (US) radiation oncology workforce is comparatively less diverse than the US population and US medical school graduates. Workforce diversity correlates with higher quality care and outcomes. The purpose of this study is to determine whether student members of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) are any more diverse than resident members-in-training, utilizing the recently established medical student membership category. Methods Self-reported sex, race and Hispanic ethnicity, medical school, and degree(s) earned for all medical students (n = 268) and members-in-training (n = 713) were collected from the ASTRO membership database. International members were excluded. The chi-square test was used to assess for differences between subgroups. Results Compared to members-in-training, student members were more likely to be female (40.0% vs. 31.5%, p = 0.032), Black or African American (10.7% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.009), candidates for or holders of a DO rather than MD degree (5.2% vs. 1.5%, p = 0.002), and from a US medical school that is not affiliated with a radiation oncology residency program (30.5% vs. 20.9%, p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in self-reported Hispanic ethnicity (7.3% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.356). There were no indigenous members in either category assessed. Conclusion Medical student members of ASTRO are more diverse in terms of Black race, female sex, and osteopathic training, though not in terms of Hispanic ethnicity or non-multiracial indigenous background, than the members-in-training. Longitudinal engagement with these students and assessment of the factors leading to specialty retention vs. attrition may increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in radiation oncology.