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Evaluation of h-index in Academic Interventional Radiology
Srinidhi Shanmugasundaram1, Bunchhin Huy1, Dhvani Shihora1
1Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey.
Insights
The h-index in interventional radiology correlates with academic rank, not sex. Male interventional radiologists have higher h-indices due to more senior faculty, not inherent differences.
Area of Science:
- Bibliometrics
- Academic Radiology
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- The h-index is a key metric for academic advancement and funding.
- Understanding factors influencing the h-index in interventional radiology is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association of h-index with academic rank, sex, and geographic distribution.
- To analyze h-index disparities within the interventional radiology academic community.
Main Methods:
- Compiled a database of academic interventional radiologists in the US.
- Extracted academic rank, sex, institution, and location data.
- Determined h-index using the Scopus database.
Main Results:
- Identified 832 interventional radiologists with a mean h-index of 10.81.
- H-index significantly differed across academic ranks (assistant, associate, professor).
- Sex was not significantly associated with h-index; academic rank and region were.
Conclusions:
- H-index in academic interventional radiology is linked to faculty position and promotion.
- Observed sex-based differences in h-index are attributed to the longer tenure of male faculty in senior positions.
Rationale And Objective:
This study evaluates the association of h-index, a widely used bibliometric factor used to determine promotions and grant allocations, with academic ranking, sex, and geographic distribution in the interventional radiology community.
Materials And Methods:
A database of all academic interventional radiologists in the US was created; academic rank, sex, institution, and geographic location were obtained. The Scopus database was used to determine the physicians' h-index.
Results:
Our query identified 832 board-certified interventional radiologists. The mean h-index amongst all interventional radiologists was 10.81 ± 13.17 (median, 7; range, 0-167). H-indices were significantly different amongst assistant professors, associate professors, and professors (p < 0.0001). Our query identified 724 male interventional radiologists and 108 female interventional radiologists. The mean h-index amongst male interventional radiologists was 11.27 ± 13.69 (median, 7; range, 0-167) and amongst female interventional radiologists was 7.72 ± 8.33 (median, 5; range, 0-47). When stratified by rank, there was no statistically significant difference in h-index between male and female interventional radiologists. Multiple regression analysis identified sex is not significantly associated with h-index, but academic rank and region are.
Conclusion:
H-index in academic interventional radiology correlates significantly with faculty position and may be a factor in determining academic promotion. The sex-based differences in h-index seem to be due to the greater number of male faculty in senior academic positions who have been in the field for longer.
