Abstract
ObjectivesTo analyze the development of publication numbers of female authors in high-, medium-, and low-impact radiological journals.MethodsIn this bibliometric analysis, gender of the first (FA) and senior author (SA) was assigned to all original research articles and reviews, published in 10 high-, medium-, and low-impact radiological journals in 2007/8 and 2017/18. The adjusted event rate (AER) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) were calculated using mixed logistic and multinomial logistic regression models to assess and compare female publications according to impact factor, journal, author position, and combination.ResultsThe proportion of female FA and female SA in N = 6979 (2007/2008) and N = 7383 (2017/2018) articles increased to 29.1% and 16.1% in 2017/2018, respectively. While most female authorships were continuously observed in medium-impact journals, the strongest increase occurred for both female FA (AOR 2.0; p < .0001) and SA (AOR 2.1; p < .0001) in low-impact journals. Female SA published significantly more often in a low- (AOR 1.5) or medium- (AOR 1.8) than in a high-ranking journal. Among the high-ranking journals, female FA published most frequently in European Radiology (32.4%; 95% CI [29.3–35.8]; p < .0001), female SA in Investigative Radiology (15.9%; 95% CI [13.7–18.4]; p < .0001). Male same-sex authorships decreased (AOR 0.9), but remained at least twice as common as all-female or mixed authorships.ConclusionThe increase in female authorship is reflected in all impact areas. Female FA and SA increased most in low-ranking journals but are most common in medium-ranking journals. Female SA remain rare, especially in high impact journals.Key Points• Compared to the proportion of female radiologists worldwide, female senior authors are underrepresented in all impact areas, in particular in high-impact journals.• Among the included high-ranking radiological journals, female first authors and senior authors were strongest represented in European Radiology and Investigative Radiology, while across all impact areas they mostly published in medium-ranking journals.• Female author combinations were more frequent in low- and medium- than in high-ranking journals, whereas male author combinations remained more common than female senior author collaborations in all impact areas.
Highlights
Nowadays, female students make up for more than half of all medical students in European countries, as the UK, Sweden, or Germany [1], and in the USA [2]
Compared to the proportion of female radiologists worldwide, female senior authors are underrepresented in all impact areas, in particular in high-impact journals
Among the included high-ranking radiological journals, female first authors and senior authors were strongest represented in European Radiology and Investigative Radiology, while across all impact areas they mostly published in medium-ranking journals
Summary
Female students make up for more than half of all medical students in European countries, as the UK, Sweden, or Germany [1], and in the USA [2]. The rate of female doctors in these countries ranges well within the gender balanced zone of 40–60% [1]. Women are even more likely than men to begin academic careers in medicine after training, they lag behind their male counterparts in obtaining levels of rank such as faculty senior positions [4,5,6]. A major factor influencing an academic advancement is the h-index, which is dependent on scholarly productivity based on peer-reviewed scientific publications and the number of citations. Fewer high-ranked publications might lead to less citations and poorer chances of promotion to senior positions. Systematic analyses of female authorships were successful in revealing the unequal distribution of leading author positions in radiology, while at the same time demonstrating a positive trend in development [7, 8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
