Orthopedic Sub-Specialties Vary in Representation of Female Fellowship Program Directors

Abstract

Background Female representation varies among subspecialities as far as existing surgeons and entry of female candidates. Mentorship has been identified as a factor affecting women’s decision to choose a sub-specialty. Orthopaedic fellowship program director gender is an important factor for female applicants in choosing a subspecialty has not been analyzed. Purpose To report on fellowship program director (PD) genders within orthopedic subspecialties and quantify the number of training positions represented by female PDs. Also, to compare the academic ranks and h-indices, of male and female PDs within each specialty. Methods Data was collected by utilizing the San Francisco Match program data, subspecialty program lists, and specific fellowship pages. For each subspecialty, we calculated the percentage of fellowship program and fellowship positions led by female program directors. We compared academic ranks and h-indices between male and female program directors. Statistical significance was defined as a P-value of <0.05. Results Female program directors led 4.7% of programs and 3.4% of fellowship positions. Female leadership varied by subspecialties, highest in orthopedic oncology (20% programs, 18.5% positions) and pediatric orthopedics (13.3% program, 9.6% positions). Lowest female representation in sports (2.2% programs, 1.2% positions) and joints (0.9% programs, 0.5% positions). Female fellowship PDs were more likely to be assistant professors than their male counterparts (39% vs. 22%), and less likely to be full professors (17% vs, 33%), but these differences were not statistically significant (P=0.13). In the 6 subspecialities for which an H-indices was calculated, 5/6 subspecialties there was not significant difference in h-indices. Conclusion Women remain underrepresented in the roles as orthopedic fellowship program directors there is significant variation amongst the subspecialities. Female program directors did not have a significantly different academic rank and H-indices did not differ significantly by program director gender in 5/6 subspecialities.