The State of Female Surgeon-Scientists in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

The goals of this study are to (1) analyze NIH grant disbursement to female otolaryngologists, (2) compare funding patterns to those of ophthalmology and neurosurgery, and (3) provide strategies to increase female surgeon-scientists.

The principal investigators of K (research career development), R (research), and U (cooperative agreement) grants in each specialty were collected from the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools Expenditures and Results for 2000 to 2021. To factor in the number of female vs male individuals, the number of female or male grant holders was divided by the respective number of female or male physicians in each field for proportional analysis. Conversion rates for K to R or U grants were calculated.

Otolaryngology had a 1.46 times higher rate of female K grant holders (p = 0.02), and a trend of 1.27 times higher rate of female R and U grant holders than male grant holders (p = 0.13). Neurosurgery had a 2.23 times greater rate of female K grant holders (p < 0.01), and a 2.62 times greater rate of female R and U grant holders than otolaryngology (p < 0.01). Ophthalmology trended to have a 0.25 times higher rate of female K grant holders (p = 0.24), but a 0.19 times lower rate of R and U grant holders than otolaryngology (p = 0.12). Female otolaryngology grant holders tended to convert at a 24.4% lower rate than male otolaryngology grant holders (p = 0.13).

Female otolaryngology surgeon-scientists' success in obtaining funding reflects successful earlier initiatives and holds promise for increased female representation in leadership. However, there are fewer female otolaryngology grant holders than in neurosurgery, illuminating the need for continued efforts.