Trends in Female Representation at Plastic Surgery Meetings: A Move Toward Gender Equity at the Podium

Stewart, Sara J.; Jabori, Sinan; Pandya, Shivani; Alawadi, Salman; Lessard, Anne-Sophie; Singh, Devinder; Danker, Sara

doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2022.10.019

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…The effects of gender disparity are pervasive and are felt across all aspects of the specialty, including selection for fellowship positions, presentations given at meetings, manuscript authorship, editorial board membership, and academic appointments. [19][20][21][22][23] The lack gender parity at the leadership level has also been observed in other specialties, including orthopedic surgery, thoracic surgery, and gastroenterology, with greater disparities seen at higher academic levels. [24][25][26] In 2008, 34% of all academic physicians were women, but only 17% achieved the highest level of academia, defined as professor of medicine.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…While this represents a positive step toward gender equity in applicants to plastic surgery, the data on retention of female plastic surgeons are less positive. The effects of gender disparity are pervasive and are felt across all aspects of the specialty, including selection for fellowship positions, presentations given at meetings, manuscript authorship, editorial board membership, and academic appointments 19–23 . The lack gender parity at the leadership level has also been observed in other specialties, including orthopedic surgery, thoracic surgery, and gastroenterology, with greater disparities seen at higher academic levels 24–26 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Evolving Plastic Surgery Applicant

Hemal,

Perez-Otero,

Boyd

et al. 2024

Ann Plast Surg

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Background Plastic surgery training has undergone tremendous change and transitioned through many models over the years, including independent, combined, and integrated. This study evaluates how these changes and others have affected plastic surgery applicants' demographics and academic qualifications over the last 30 years. Methods Data on applicant demographics and academic qualifications were extracted from multiple sources including the National Resident Matching Program, the American Association of Medical Colleges, and cross-sectional surveys of plastic surgery applicants for the years 1992, 2005, 2011, and 2022. Data were compared using pairwise χ2 goodness of fit tests. Results The sex distribution of plastic surgery applicants changed significantly over the last 30 years: whereas men predominated in 1992 (86% male vs 14% female), by 2011, the distribution was nearly equal (54% male vs 46% female in both 2011 and 2022, P < 0.001). The racial makeup of applicants also changed over time (P < 0.05). White applicants decreased from 73% in 1992 to 55% in 2011, and 53% in 2022. While there was an increase in Asian (7% to > 17% to > 20%) and other (13% to > 14% to > 21%) applicants over time, whereas the proportion of Black applicants remained stagnant (5% to > 6% to > 8%). Applicants with prior general surgery experience declined precipitously over the years: 96% in 1992, 64% in 2005, 37% in 2011, and 26% in 2022 (P < 0.001). When compared with 1992, Alpha Omega Alpha status increased significantly in 2011 (36% vs 12%, P < 0.05) but did not change considerably in 2005 (22%) and 2022 (23%). Research experience increased dramatically over the years, with the proportion of applicants with at least one publication going from 43% in 1992, to 75% in 2005, to 89% in 2011, and to 99% in 2022 (P < 0.001). Applicant interest in academic plastic surgery did not change considerably over the years at roughly ranging from 30% to 50% of applicants (P = ns). Conclusions There has been a shift in the demographics and academic qualifications of plastic surgery applicants over the last 3 decades. Understanding this evolution is critical for reviewing and evaluating the makeup of our specialty, and enacting changes to increase representation where necessary.

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