Do women have equal chances for an academic career in radiation-oncology in Canada? A comparison with related specialties

Abstract Background The progress of women in academic medicine appears to be curtailed. We evaluated gender differences in academia for residents in radiation oncology compared to two of its related specialties, radiology and medical oncology across Canada. Methods We analyzed abstracts presented between 2013 and 2016 at the annual meetings of the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncologists (CARO) and compared it to the corresponding data for the meetings of the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) and Canadian Association of Medical Oncology (CAMO). We further evaluated gender composition of abstracts, presentations and publications available on PubMed. Conversion rates according to gender and to medical specialties were assessed. Proportions were compared using Fisher’s exact test or Chi-squared test. Results Among the 198 presented abstracts, 103 (52%) were published. Radiation oncology had the highest publishing rate with 90% (oncology 56%, radiology 40%. The publication rate between the medical specialties was significantly different (p 57% of abstracts presented by women were published vs. 48% of abstracts presented by men. Overall, there was no significant difference between genders in terms of subsequent conversions into a scientific publication within each specialty (p = 0.25-1.0). In radiation oncology women presented 67% of abstracts and published 95% of their presented abstracts, while in medical oncology, 66% of abstracts were from women and 57% of the presented abstracts were published. Among the published abstracts, 83% had the same first author in the abstract and the publication. Among those who lost their first-authorship status, 59% were women. However, there was no statistically significant differences between specialties for loss of first-author status. Conclusions For 2013 – 2016, we observed that women had the highest presentation and publication rate in radiation-oncology.. More prospective data are needed to monitor the progress of women in all specialties and their specific needs.