A gender-based comparison of promotion and research productivity in academic dermatology

Abstract

Gender disparities within academic promotion have been reported in several medicalspecialties. Female representationin association with research productivity has not been reported among academic dermatologists. Asresearch productivity is a heavily weighted factor in determining promotion, we sought to determinewhether gender disparities in academic rank and scholarly impact, measured by the h-index, exist inacademic dermatology. In 2015, the authors determined gender and academic rank using academic dermatologydepartment websites. H- index and publication range were determined using the Scopus database.Rank, h-index, and publication range were compared between male and female academic dermatologists. The h-index of academic dermatologists increased with successive academic rank fromAssistant Professor through Professor (p<0.001), although no significant difference existed betweenChairs and Professors. Publication range also increased with each successive rank from AssistantProfessor through Professor (p<0.001), with no statistical significant difference betweenpublication range of Chairs and Professors. Overall, men had higher h-indices than femalecolleagues (p<0.001). This difference was maintained when controlling for academic rank amongAssistant Professors, Professors, and Chairs and when controlling for publication range in years. Women in academic dermatology are underrepresented among senior academic ranks. Thedifference in scholarly productivity between male and female academic dermatologists may contributeto this disparity. Recommendation for earlyinvolvement in research activities may help minimize this gap.