Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
In Vivo Quantification of Hip Arthrokinematics during Dynamic Weight-bearing Activities using Dual Fluoroscopy
Published on: July 2, 2021
Gender Disparities in Financial Relationships Between Industry and Orthopaedic Surgeons Are Improving But Still
David N Bernstein1, Gabrielle S Ray2, Emily B Parker3
1Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mass General Brigham, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Background:
Prior research has revealed gender disparities in the financial relationships between industry and orthopaedic surgeons. Despite attempts to level the playing field, it remains unclear whether these efforts have reduced or eliminated gender disparities in financial relationships between industry and orthopaedic surgeons.
Methods:
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments database was queried from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024 for orthopaedic surgeons receiving "consulting fee" or "royalty or license" payments of $1,000 or more. Surgeon characteristics were recorded from the CMS database and public sources. Total payment amounts and number of payments were calculated. Characteristics were compared by gender between those receiving any industry payment, consulting payment, and royalty payment. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with payment amount and number of payments. Results were compared with a study using similar data from 2016 to 2017.
Results:
A total of 3,714 surgeons received industry payments, with 3,514 (95%) being men. Of those receiving royalty payments (n = 1,374), 1.5% (n = 21) were women. Of those receiving consulting payments (n = 3,122), 6.2% (n = 194) were women. Men (β = 1.57 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.41-2.73, p = 0.008), years of experience (β = 0.09 [95% CI: 0.07-0.12], p < 0.001), and adult reconstruction (β = 1.77 [95% CI: 0.76-2.79], p = 0.001) were associated with a greater total number of payments. Hand surgery (β = -2.57 [95% CI: 3.97 to -1.17], p < 0.001), pediatrics (β = -2.62 [95% CI: 4.60 to -0.64], p = 0.01), and sports (β = -1.12 [95% CI: 2.08 to -0.16], p = 0.02) were associated with the fewer total number of payments. Men (β = 0.34 [95% CI: 0.10-0.57], p = 0.004), years of experience (β = 0.051 [95% CI: 0.046-0.056], p < 0.001), and adult reconstruction (β = 0.47 [95% CI: 0.27-0.68], p < 0.001) were associated with greater payment amounts, while hand (β = -0.96 [95% CI: 1.24 to -0.68], p < 0.001) and pediatrics (β = -0.79 [95% CI: 1.18 to -0.39], p < 0.001) were associated with lower payment amounts. When examining trends over time, men received 1.57 (2024) vs. 5.17 (2016-2017) additional payments and 40% (2024) vs. 197% (2016-2017) larger payments compared with women.
Conclusions:
Gender disparities in financial relationships (i.e., number of payments and payment amounts) between industry and orthopaedic surgeons persist, though are improved compared with prior research from about a decade ago.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
02:55Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
01:21Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...