Female Representation in Otolaryngology Leadership Roles

• Published in: The Laryngoscope 2020-07, Vol.130 (7), p.1664-1669
• Main Authors: Epperson, Madison, Gouveia, Christopher J., Tabangin, Meredith E., Takiar, Vinita, Howell, Rebecca, Altaye, Mekibib, Ishman, Stacey L., Tang, Alice L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: academic rank; College professors; Directors; Female representation; Females; h‐index; leadership; Otolaryngology; women in otolaryngology
• ISSN: 0023-852X; 1531-4995
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.28308

Objectives/Hypothesis Characterization of leadership within otolaryngology is key to evaluating trends and promoting program advancement. This study evaluates representation of women in otolaryngology holding residency and fellowship directorships, or chair positions, comparing sex differences in academic rank, years in practice, and scholarly activity. Study Design Cross sectional analysis. Methods A comprehensive list of otolaryngology residency and fellowship directors from Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–accredited programs in 2017 to 2018 was compiled. Academic rank and years in practice were determined from departmental websites, with online search tools used as secondary resources. The h‐index was utilized as a measure of research productivity. Regression analysis was performed to analyze these variables. Results Among the 306 directorships, women held 57 (18.6%) of these positions, 27 (26.5%) residency and 30 (14.7%) fellowship directorships. Of the 99 chair positions, five (5.1%) were held by women. The majority (53.6%) of male directors were full professors, whereas only 26.3% of females were full professors (P = .04). Mean years in practice for female directors (13.9 ± 6.8) was less than that of male directors (20.3 ± 9.4, P