The impossible hustle, sustaining pediatric radiology research amidst clinical demands: insights from a European society of pediatric radiology research committee survey

Background: Performing basic or clinical research within medicine faces significant demographic, structural, and financial constraints. These pressures also affect pediatric radiology, where limited funding and growing clinical demands intensify challenges. Objective: To examine how pediatric radiologists define research activities, assess their reported allocation of time to research, and identify systemic barriers that affect engagement in research. Materials and methods: A prospective multicenter survey was distributed to 1625 ESPR members via Qualtrics in 2025. Data on research definitions, time allocation, funding streams, and perceived barriers were analyzed. Results: Eighty-eight members (5.5% response rate) from 32 different countries of practice of survey respondents completed the survey, with approximately one-third from each of early-career, mid-career, and late-career groups. Research activities were defined as “writing and presenting at conferences” (81.8%), conducting laboratory-based or clinical research (75.3%), and grant writing (64.9%). Seventy-nine reported having the lowest amount of protected research time (0–10%; “minimal to none”), although 74% of respondents had published in peer-reviewed journals. The most frequently perceived barriers to research were lack of time (79%) and insufficient funding (60%). Conclusion: Among survey responders, research activity is significantly sustained, despite minimal structural support, reflecting what may be described as an impossible hustle. Common definitions of research and the allocation of protected research time are necessary to better support this engagement and safeguard the future of the subspecialty.