Abstract
Diversity is a critical component in the advancement of human endeavor in science.
Students who complete their education and training at diverse schools can serve patients
from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds and promote cross-cultural competence. However,
developing a diverse environment of professionals is a long-term effort which often
takes generations to complete. Increasing awareness of underrepresented genders and/or
minorities helps to establish goals for building a future of improved diversity. Specific
to radiation oncology, professions such as medical physicists and radiation oncology
physicians have reported underrepresented females and minorities. The problem is that
there is a paucity of literature regarding diversity of medical dosimetry professionals.
The professional organization does not track diversity data for those members currently
working in the profession. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to present
aggregate data demonstrating the diversity of medical dosimetry applicants and graduates.
The methodology involved quantitative data collection from medical dosimetry program
directors which answered the research question, what is the diversity of medical dosimetry
applicants and graduates? In comparison to the U.S. population, there were less applicant
and accepted students of Hispanic/Latino and African American ethnicities whereas
the Asian population was higher. While the U.S. population data reveals 3% more females,
there were 35% more female than male applicant and accepted students in this study.
However, the results differ significantly from medical physics and radiation oncology
physicians with only 30% female clinicians.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 23, 2023
Accepted:
April 26,
2023
Received in revised form:
March 30,
2023
Received:
February 11,
2023
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
