Elika Kashef (London, UK) addresses the implications of interventional radiology not being equally accessible to people from all walks of life. This has triggered a re-think in the aspirations and nomenclature of the British Society of Interventional Radiology (BSIR) Women and Diversity Committee so that its broader agenda is reflected in its new name: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
She talks about the multiple outreach efforts and challenges to ensure that medical students, irrespective of their background, race or gender, are exposed to interventional radiology—an essential requirement to deal with the huge workforce issue that is looming for the subspecialty, simultaneously making certain that the life-saving benefits of interventional radiology are available to all. The new committee will also maintain its focus on retaining women in interventional radiology to up their number from the current 12%, Kashef tells Interventional News at the BSIR Annual Scientific Meeting 2021 (8–10 December, Glasgow, UK).
