Academic Rank and Productivity Among United States Cardiothoracic Surgeons

Area of Science:

• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Academic Medicine
• Surgical Subspecialties

Background:

• Women are a minority in cardiothoracic surgery despite increasing trainee numbers.
• Women hold fewer leadership positions within the field.
• This study investigates sex-based differences in career progression and productivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate differences in subspecialty choice, academic rank, and productivity between male and female cardiothoracic surgeons.
• To identify factors contributing to the underrepresentation of women in academic leadership roles.

Main Methods:

• Data from 1179 faculty members across 78 US cardiothoracic surgery programs were analyzed.
• Information was gathered from program websites, professional networks, and academic databases.
• Surgeons were categorized by subspecialty: adult cardiac, thoracic, and congenital.

Main Results:

• Women comprised only 9.6% of all cardiothoracic surgeons analyzed.
• Representation varied by subspecialty: 6.7% in adult cardiac, 15% in thoracic, and 7.7% in congenital.
• Women held fewer professorial and leadership roles and had shorter careers and lower h-indices than men, though m-indices were comparable.

Conclusions:

• Career duration and research productivity are key predictors of academic rank in cardiothoracic surgery.
• These factors may explain persistent sex-based disparities in academic advancement.
• Addressing these disparities requires a focus on career length and research support for women.