Women and Certain Ethno-Racial Groups Are Underrepresented in Otolaryngology Leadership, Study Shows

by Linda Kossoff •

What is the status of the otolaryngology field today in terms of diversity in

leadership?

BOTTOM LINE

Women and certain ethno-racial groups are underrepresented in otolaryngology leadership, and efforts should continue to diversify the specialty’s leadership.

BACKGROUND: Diversity in medical education and practice enhances competence and cultural sensitivity and positively influences healthcare delivery, yet it remains scarce among surgical specialties. Representation in medical leadership is critical to fostering diversity and inclusion. Little is known about the diversity of current U.S. otolaryngology departmental, residency, and national society leadership.

STUDY DESIGN: Observational study.

SETTING: Department of Otolaryngology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, N.Y.

SYNOPSIS: Researchers collected position, rank, demographic information, and h-index for 262 department chairs and chiefs, residency program directors, and assistant and associate directors from 117 otolaryngology residency programs, as well as 92 society leaders from nine otolaryngology national societies from 2010 to 2020 in the U.S. Across all otolaryngology residency leadership positions, 77.86% were male, with an ethno-racial breakdown of 78.63% non-Hispanic (NH) White, 16.03% NH Asian, 2.29% Middle Eastern, 1.91% NH Black, and 1.15% Latinx. Of 117 full professors, 76% were NH White male, 8% NH Asian male, 8% NH White female, 3% NH Asian female, 2% NH Black male, 2% Middle Eastern male, and 1% Latinx male. Of 115 department chairs and chiefs, 77% were NH White male. Of 114 residency program directors, 52% were NH White male, 22% NH White female, 12% NH Asian male, and 6% NH Asian female. The proportion of females rose to 38% among assistant and associate residency program directors. Society leaders were 88% male, 84% NH White, and 11% NH Asian. Study limi – tations included only five groups desig – nated in its ethno-racial breakdown.

CITATION: Uppal PA, Kollu T, Thomas M, et al. Otolaryngology department and society leadership: evaluation of diversity in a nationwide study. Laryngoscope. 2022;132:1729–1737.