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Brink A, Israel O, Nadel H, Arevalo-Pardo M, Kalinchuk O, Estrada-Lobato E, Naydenova M, Drace M, Paez D. Towards a More Inclusive Future: A Comprehensive Assessment of Gender Diversity in Nuclear Medicine Education, Training and Workforce. Semin Nucl Med 2024; 54:184-190. [PMID: 37985264 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The field of nuclear medicine has undergone remarkable advances, particularly with the introduction of new devices, radionuclides for imaging and therapy, new clinical applications, and emergence of medical evidence. As this dynamic field continues its rapid expansion, there is an urgent need to increase the number of well-trained professionals globally. Consequently, advocating for nuclear medicine as a thriving field of study and work for women becomes paramount in ensuring the establishment of a robust workforce capable of meeting the growing demands. True gender equality will only be achieved when there is equal representation across the spectrum of the nuclear medicine professions, including nuclear medicine technologists, radiopharmacists, radiochemist, medical physicists, nuclear medicine physicians, administrators, academics, and leaders. Currently, the workforce exhibits an imbalance, with females predominating among nuclear medicine technologists, while the number of female physicians, and those in leadership positions remains comparatively lower. There are various factors which contribute to the existing inequities. Societal expectations often impose traditional gender roles that somehow discourage women from pursuing a career in the science, technology, and mathematics (STEM) fields, including nuclear medicine. Additionally, prevailing unequal work conditions and gender biases within the workplace can create barriers that hinder women's professional growth and development. Ways of addressing inequalities includes ensuring female participation at all levels of education and training and promoting the field at undergraduate level in medical school. Mentorship programs have demonstrated great success in guiding and supporting women at various stages of their careers. Therefore, there is a need for their expansion and enhancement. Furthermore, female role models play a pivotal role in shattering gender stereotypes and inspiring other women to pursue careers in nuclear medicine and its related fields. By addressing the existing imbalances and fostering an environment that actively encourages and supports women, we can harness the full potential of all professionals, thus ensuring the ongoing progress and advancement of nuclear medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Brink
- Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section, Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ora Israel
- Rappaport School of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Helen Nadel
- Pediatric Nuclear medicine, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Manuela Arevalo-Pardo
- Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section, Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Oleksandr Kalinchuk
- Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section, Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Enrique Estrada-Lobato
- Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section, Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Naydenova
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme, Vienna, Austria
| | - Milena Drace
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme, Vienna, Austria
| | - Diana Paez
- Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section, Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
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Evangelista L, Guglielmo P, Pietrzak A, Lazar AM, Urso L, Aghaee A, Eppard E. The Future Direction of Women in Nuclear Medicine and Nuclear Medicine in Women's Health. Semin Nucl Med 2024; 54:302-310. [PMID: 38218670 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
This work discusses the role of Nuclear Medicine for women's health, the role of women in the development of this emerging field and the various issues which arise from both. It emphasizes the importance of young women and their competing needs due to factors like pregnancy and work-related challenges. The objectives of this overview include improving imaging techniques, preserving fertility during cancer treatment, diagnosing pelvic and uterine conditions, developing radiopharmaceuticals for women's health, protecting female employees in Nuclear Medicine, and considering the role of artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Evangelista
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy; IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Priscilla Guglielmo
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Agata Pietrzak
- Electroradiology Department, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; Nuclear Medicine Department, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
| | - Alexandra Maria Lazar
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Institute of Oncology "Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu", Bucharest, Romania; Carcinogenesis and Molecular Biology Department, Institute of Oncology "Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu", Bucharest, Romania
| | - Luca Urso
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Nuclear Medicine Unit, Onco-Hematological Department, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Atena Aghaee
- Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Elisabeth Eppard
- Faculty of Medicine, University Clinic for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Otto von Guericke University (OvGU), Magdeburg, Germany
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Udemgba C, Sarkaria SK, Gleeson P, Bryant-Stephens T, Ogbogu PU, Khoury P, Apter AJ. New considerations of health disparities within allergy and immunology. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 151:314-323. [PMID: 36503854 PMCID: PMC9905264 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The pandemic, political upheavals, and social justice efforts in our society have resulted in attention to persistent health disparities and the urgent need to address them. Using a scoping review, we describe published updates to address disparities and targets for interventions to improve gaps in care within allergy and immunology. These disparities-related studies provide a broad view of our current understanding of how social determinants of health threaten patient outcomes and our ability to advance health equity efforts in our field. We outline next steps to improve access to care and advance health equity for patients with allergic/immunologic diseases through actions taken at the individual, community, and policy levels, which could be applied outside of our field. Key among these are efforts to increase the diversity among our trainees, providers, and scientific teams and enhancing efforts to participate in advocacy work and public health interventions. Addressing health disparities requires advancing our understanding of the interplay between social and structural barriers to care and enacting the needed interventions in various key areas to effect change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chioma Udemgba
- National Institute of Allergic and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Sandeep K Sarkaria
- Section of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pulmonary & Critical Care, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Patrick Gleeson
- Section of Allergy & Immunology, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Tyra Bryant-Stephens
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Princess U Ogbogu
- Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio; Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Paneez Khoury
- National Institute of Allergic and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Andrea J Apter
- Section of Allergy & Immunology, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
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Allen SC, Schroeder J, Budigi B, Bennett P. Workforce Pathway Development: Evaluation of an Educational Seminar to Increase Student Interest in Nuclear Medicine. Acad Radiol 2023; 30:370-378. [PMID: 35879209 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2022.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Attracting more students to nuclear medicine is imperative to improving diversity and meeting growing staffing needs. In this study, we implemented a short seminar about nuclear medicine and evaluated its impact on student perceptions of the field. MATERIALS AND METHODS We developed and presented 30-minute "Introduction to Nuclear Medicine" seminars to undergraduate college students and preclinical medical students. After the seminars, participants completed a post-pre survey to determine perceived changes to their perspective of nuclear medicine. Responses were coded on a Likert 1-5 scale with pre- and post- seminar results compared using T-test of means and analysis of variance. RESULTS Of the 83 students who attended the seminar, 79 (95.1%) students participated in the survey including 67 preclinical medical students and 12 undergraduate students. Of the 78 participants who provided demographic information, there were 38 (48.7%) women, 5 (6.4%) first-generation college students, and 39 (50.0%) people who identified as either multiracial or a race other than White/Caucasian. Among all participants (n = 79), there was a significant increase in perceived understanding of nuclear medicine (p < 0.001), confidence in ability to pursue nuclear medicine (p < 0.001), and interest in becoming a nuclear medicine professional (p < 0.001). Perceived increases in knowledge were highest among first-year medical students (p = 0.031), while interest (p = 0.40) and confidence (p = 0.85) in pursuing nuclear medicine did not vary by educational level. CONCLUSION Perceptions of student interest in nuclear medicine can be improved using an easily implemented, short seminar at the undergraduate college and preclinical medical school level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel C Allen
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Jennifer Schroeder
- Department of Radiology, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston Salem, NC 27157
| | - Bhavana Budigi
- Department of Radiology, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston Salem, NC 27157
| | - Paige Bennett
- Department of Radiology, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston Salem, NC 27157.
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