Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40198355›Full record

ArticleStrahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al]2026

Gender parity in radiation oncology in Germany: a 2024 analysis of professional roles and academic training.

Angela Besserer, Tina Jost, Andrea Wittig, Livia Schmidt, Lisa Deloch, Lara Caglayan, Birgit Flechl, Astrid Fraller, Juliane Hörner-Rieber, Cordula Petersen and 2 more

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Strahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al], 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Gender disparities in academic radiation oncology research: A narrative review.Clinical and translational radiation oncology · 2027
    Review
  2. Article
  3. Gender disparities in historical context, workforce structure, and decision-making.Strahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al] · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Angela BessererDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital Potsdam, Charlottenstr. 72, 14467, Potsdam, Germany. angela.besserer@klinikumevb.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-6492-0190
Tina JostTranslational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
Andrea WittigDepartment for Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
Livia SchmidtDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Lisa DelochTranslational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
Lara CaglayanDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Birgit FlechlMedAustron Ion Therapy Center, Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
Astrid FrallerUniversity Hospital Wiener Neustadt, Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
Juliane Hörner-RieberDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Cordula PetersenDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
Maike TrommerDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Cyberknife and Radiotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
DEGRO A.G. FiRO

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeDespite some progress, gender inequalities remain prevalent in many medical fields, including radiation oncology (RO). This study investigates gender parity in RO in Germany, with a particular focus on the distribution of professional positions and academic qualifications.

methodsUsing data from the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO), we analyzed gender representation in various roles including resident physicians, specialists, senior physicians, leading positions, and heads of university departments. Additionally, academic achievements such as doctoral degrees and professorships were examined. Temporal trends were assessed by comparing data from 2006, while interdisciplinary comparisons were made using current data from other medical specialties.

resultsAn increase in the proportion of female members was found, rising by a factor of 1.85 (2006: 570 vs. 2024: 1055). However, significant gender disparities persist, particularly at higher professional levels. Leadership positions remain male dominated, with women holding only 18.9% of full professorships in 2024. In 2006, just 1 in 9 university chair positions and 1 in 40 professorships were occupied by women. These figures had improved by 2024, with women holding 1 in 5 university chair positions and professorships.

conclusionDespite progress in representation, significant gender disparities remain in leadership and academic positions within RO. Structural barriers continue to impede women's career advancement. This study identifies these obstacles and advocates for targeted initiatives to foster gender equity, including mentorship programs and family-friendly policies. The ultimate goal is to establish an equitable and appealing professional environment for future generations in RO.

Indexed as

Faculty, MedicalPhysicians, WomenRadiation OncologySexismAcademiaCareer MobilityFemaleForecastingGermanyHumansLeadershipMaleGender distributionLeadership diversityLeaky pipelineWomenWorkforce equity

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.