Interdisciplinary Representation of Burn Surgery Journal and Society Leadership

Burn care is a complex craft that requires an interdisciplinary approach. It includes a diverse array of specialty providers to provide holistic, specialized care to burn victims. This study aims to evaluate the diverse array of subspecialties involved in burn surgery journal and society leadership. A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2019 by examining the characteristics of society and journal leaders. Current governance and committee members of the American Burn Association (ABA) and International Society of Burn Injuries (ISBI) were determined, as well as the editors of five major burn journals. Information gathered included occupation, advanced degrees obtained, and type of residency training. Of 384 editorial board members identified, 76% were physicians (n = 291), with specialties including burn surgery (n = 208, 54%) and anesthesiology (n = 22, 6%). Among nonphysicians (n = 78, 20%), 76% were medical researchers (n = 59), 8% physical therapists (n = 6), and 5% nurses (n = 4). Looking at ABA and ISBI governance (n = 29), 82% were physicians (n = 24). Nonphysician ABA and ISBI leaders were nurses (n = 2, 7%) and occupational therapists (n = 2, 7%). Of 467 identified ABA and ISBI committee members, half were physicians (n = 244, 52%). There was a wide array of nonphysician occupations among committee members, from nurses (n = 99, 21%), to occupational therapists (n = 25, 5%), and even firefighters (n = 6, 1%). Burn surgery journal and society leadership reflect the interdisciplinary nature of burn care by including an array of subspecialties. Yet, physicians tend to dominate academic burn leadership in comparison to other disciplines, highlighting the need for more nonphysician representation in leadership positions.