Sex Differences in Faculty Positions Among Top-Ranked US Otolaryngology Departments

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to characterize the top-ranked departments in otolaryngology to provide an indicator of the state of diversity within otolaryngology and to draw a comparison with other medical and surgical fields. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study examined the 20 highest-ranked otolaryngology programs according to the US News & World Report ranking of best hospitals for ear, nose and throat. SETTING: Academic otolaryngology departments in the United States. METHODS: Faculty demographic and biographical data were collected from departmental websites. The Web of Science h-index was used as a surrogate for academic productivity. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were used to characterize the cohort and compare otolaryngology with other fields. RESULTS: Of 562 otolaryngologists on faculty at the 20 highest-ranked programs, 413 (73.5%) were men and 149 (26.5%) were women. Among the faculty in the cohort, 174 (31.0%) were professors, 145 (25.8%) were associate professors, and 183 (32.6%) were assistant professors. Across faculty appointments, the proportion of women grew smaller as academic rank increased. When compared with all faculty across US medical schools, the departments in this study had significantly lower proportions of female professors (P = .0047), associate professors (P = .0009), and assistant professors (P = .0005). Male faculty members had higher h-indices than their female counterparts among professors (P = .004), associate professors (P = .008), assistant professors (P = .0002), and clinical assistant professors (P = .0009). CONCLUSION: Women are underrepresented across all academic ranks in top-ranked otolaryngology programs. The current state of diversity in otolaryngology yields many opportunities to advance representation for women in the field.