A Bibliometric Analysis of Scholarly Activity of Authors of Research Articles Published in the Journal of Physician Assistant Education from 2011-2020

Abstract

Introduction The purpose of this study was to analyze bibliometric data and trends of author contributions to the Journal of Physician Assistant Education (JPAE) from 2011-2020. Methods Author data were collected from JPAE research articles published from 2011-2020. Publication history and h-index were obtained from Scopus. Data collected included first authors, last authors, and PA authors as well as trends in publications in JPAE. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were completed. Results From 2011-2020, 200 research articles were published in JPAE; the volume was constant. Of 698 authors listed, 374 were physician assistants (PAs). Overall, contributing authors had a mean publication number of 19.6 (1-327) compared to 12.1 (1-163) for PAs. First and last PA authors had mean publication numbers of 13.2 and 16.1, respectively, and an average h-index of 3.2 and 4.4, respectively. The overall author h-index was 5.2. The mean number of publications for non-PA last authors was 32.9. Publication to h-index proportion was similar between PAs and other authors. The top 25th percentile of PA authors published >9 indexed documents, 3 times the number published by those in the 1-75th percentile. Discussion PA author articles in JPAE from 2011 to 2020 were fewer than those by non-PAs but were as likely to have a proportionate h-index. PAs listed as first and last author were highly published. Trends suggest that when PA first authors work with PA last authors, there may be a more egalitarian relationship, and mentorship patterns may also exist within these groups. Increasing publication numbers from 2011 to 2020 for PA first and last authors indicates increasing academic contribution.

Physician Assistant Gender Differences in Research, Professional Goals, and Perceptions of Support

“…Previous studies have reported a gender difference in scholarly productivity. 2,3 We found that men had more publications and scholarly activities, but the difference between men and women was not statistically significant. This was a secondary analysis of a larger study, and our sample was likely not large enough to find a significant difference if one truly exists.…”

“…Developing high-impact, highly visible researchers within our profession is important. Multiple barriers to PA research productivity have been suggested 2,3 ; a recent study found that lack of interest and lack of engagement with mentors by PA educators were underreported barriers. 4 Gender disparities in advancement in rank, representation in leadership, and salary are well-researched in other professions, [5][6][7] but nascent in the PA profession.…”

“…Developing high-impact, highly visible researchers within our profession is important. Multiple barriers to PA research productivity have been suggested 2,3 ; a recent study found that lack of interest and lack of engagement with mentors by PA educators were underreported barriers. 4…”

Perspective on the Journal of Physician Assistant Education: From Association Newsletter to Academic Peer-Reviewed Journal Celebrating 25 Years

“…2 Later, Bouton and Halasy in a more recent analysis of bibliometric data of scholarly activity of authors of research articles in JPAE from 2011 to 2020 noted an increasing number of publications during this period for PA first and last authors, indicating increasing academic contribution by PA program faculty. 3 The Annual Survey of PA Programs, a yearly data profile of PA programs, was created in the 1980s by Dennis (Deni) Oliver, PhD, from the University of Iowa PA program. This report was the Association's first major research effort and provided important information as the field of PA education was rapidly growing.…”

“…2 Later, Bouton and Halasy in a more recent analysis of bibliometric data of scholarly activity of authors of research articles in JPAE from 2011 to 2020 noted an increasing number of publications during this period for PA first and last authors, indicating increasing academic contribution by PA program faculty. 3…”