Genders of the First and Senior Authors of the Most Cited Studies Within the Top 10 Surgical Journals 2015 to 2020

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to investigate the gender distribution of first and senior authors in the most highly cited original research studies published in the top 10 surgical journals from 2015 to 2020, to identify disparity and change over time. METHODS: A retrospective study analyzing the gender distribution of first and senior authors in the top 10 most cited studies from the top 10 surgical journals from 2015 to 2020. The genders of the first and senior authors of each study were assessed using National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers or pronouns from institutional biographies or news articles. RESULTS: The genders of 1,200 first and senior authors from 600 original research studies were assessed. First author gender distribution consisted of 71.8% men, 22.3% women, 0% nonbinary, and 5.8% unknown. Senior author gender distribution was 82.3% men, 14.3% women, 0% nonbinary, and 3.3% unknown. Studies published by first authors who are women received more citations than those published by first authors who are men in 2015 (169.1 vs 112.9, p = 0.002) and 2016 (144.2 vs 101.5, p = 0.011). There was an increase in first authorship among men from 2015 to 2020 (p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Men represent a significantly higher proportion of both first and senior authorships in top surgical research and the gap has widened from 2015 to 2020. However, studies written by women first authors received significantly more citations than those written by men.