Trends of female authorship in head and neck surgery publications over the last decade

Tatiana Ferraro, Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Jamie Cole, Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Sean M. Lee, Office of Clinical Research, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Alisha R. Pershad, Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Esther Lee, Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Hannah Hildebrand, Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Chloe Harrington, Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Nicole A. Derdzakyan, Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Beck O. Gold, Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Neelima Tummala, Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Punam Thakkar, Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

5-16-2024

Journal

Head & neck

DOI

10.1002/hed.27819

Keywords

authorship; disparities; female authorship; head and neck surgery; medical education; otolaryngology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: While other otolaryngology subspecialties have established female authorship trends, there is no comprehensive study within head and neck surgery (HNS). METHODS: Five researchers recorded the gender identity of first and senior authors from HNS subspecialty papers (head and neck oncology, endocrine surgery, salivary gland pathology, and microsurgery) derived from 10 journals in otolaryngology and oncology in the years 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022. RESULTS: From 3457 articles, 6901 unique author identities were analyzed. Female authors represented 32% (N = 1103) of first authors and 20% (N = 690) of senior authors. Female authors were less likely to publish in microvascular and reconstructive surgery. Senior female authors were more likely to publish in higher impact journals than male senior authors, and first female authors had an increased likelihood of funding compared to their male counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: While female authors remain underrepresented in certain literature, we illustrate promising trends in productivity, funding allocation, and impact.

Department

Surgery

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