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Understanding The Factors That Shape Academic Advancement In Plastic Surgery: The Influence Of Subspecialty And Gender On Research Productivity And Faculty Promotion
Rosevine Achakrow Azap, MD, Neha Momin, BS, Mbinui Ghogomu, BS, Philong Nguyen, BS, Daniel Donato, MD.
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
Background: Leadership in academic plastic surgery influences innovation of surgical standards, training of future surgeons, and advocacy efforts of specialty societies. This study aims to evaluate the role of gender, subspecialty, and training pathways in influencing promotion and research productivity of academic plastic surgeons.
Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study of 1,169 plastic surgeons across 104 U.S. plastic surgery residency programs was performed using publicly available data. Information pertaining to faculty demographics, bibliometrics, and faculty training pathways were compiled. Data on program leadership, including program chair and program directors were obtained. Descriptive statistics were used.
Results: The final cohort consisted of 888 surgeons. Within the cohort, 71% were male and 29% were female. Faculty distribution included 399 assistant professors (44.9%), 217 associate professors (24.4%), and 272 full professors (30.6%). Faculty subspecialties represented a myriad of plastic surgery, including microsurgery (n=184), hand (n=149), craniofacial (n=157), aesthetic (n=35), gender (n=8), breast (n=6), and multiple (n=166). Males had 3.3 times higher odds of full professor rank as compared to females [OR 3.3 (2.26, 4.81), p<0.001]. Microsurgery faculty had 44% lower odds of full professor rank as compared to general subspecialty faculty [OR 0.56 (0.35, 0.88), p=0.013]. Hand surgeons also had 39% lower odds of full professor rank as compared to general subspecialty faculty [OR 0.61 (0.37, 0.99), p=0.045]. The median H-index was highest for microsurgery (Median 13, IQR 6-21.25) and craniofacial faculty (Median 13, IQR 6-24).
Conclusion: Numerous factors influence academic advancement and leadership roles in academic plastic surgery, including subspecialty and gender.
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