Exploring Diversity in North American Academic Pediatric Otolaryngology

Representation of women and minority groups is traditionally low in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS). This cross-sectional study aims to assess the difference in gender and racial/ethnic representation within Academic North American pediatric OHNS.

Cross-sectional study of North American pediatric OHNS faculty websites.

North America.

Canadian and American residency program registries were searched for accredited OHNS programs. Pediatric OHNS faculty were identified through program websites. Information regarding gender, race/ethnicity, time in practice, research productivity, academic title, and leadership positions was extracted from public profiles and Scopus. Demographic and academic data was also extracted for OHNS and pediatric OHNS department/division chairs.

North American academic pediatric OHNS websites listed 516 surgeons, of whom 39.9% were women. Most surgeons were perceived as White (69.0%), followed by Asian (24.0%), Hispanic (3.7%), and Black (3.3%). Women surgeons had lower h-indices, less publications, and less citations than men (P < .001). Despite women surgeons having fewer years in practice (median 8.0 vs 13.0, P < .001), gender-differences in h-index persisted when controlling for years in practice (P < .05). Men surgeons had higher academic titles (P < .001), but there was no gender difference in leadership roles while accounting for years in practice (P = .559). White surgeons had higher academic titles than non-White surgeons (P = .018). There was no racial/ethnic difference in leadership roles (P = .392).

Most pediatric OHNS surgeons are men and/or White. Significant gender-differences in research productivity and academic title exist, however surgeons of racial/ethnic minority have similar research productivity as their racial/ethnic majority counterparts.