Gender-based analysis of pre-residency research productivity among a current United States radiation oncology resident class.

BACKGROUND

The increasing proportion of women in medicine has not been adequately reflected in the gender distribution of radiation oncology residents. The presence of at least one pre-residency peer-reviewed publication (PRP) has been associated with radiation oncology resident choice of academic over private practice career, with no significant gender difference in the likelihood of having a PRP (McClelland et al., 2017). We sought to pursue a gender-based analysis of PRP productivity in a current junior resident class.

METHODS

A list of radiation oncology residents from the graduating class of 2022 (PGY-2 academic year of 2018-2019) was obtained through internet investigation. Research productivity was calculated using PRP number, defined as the number of a resident's publications listed in PubMed (pubmed.gov) through the calendar year of residency application (2016 for this class).

RESULTS

Of 195 residents examined from the 2022 class, 61 (31%) were women, representing a nine percent increase from the resident class of 2016. Four-fifths of women had 1+ PRP, 31% had dual degrees, and 18% had a PhD. These percentages were comparable to their male counterparts, 73% with 1+ PRP, 28% with dual degrees, and 15% with a PhD. There were no statistically significant differences by gender in any of these benchmarks.

CONCLUSIONS

While slower than the overall trend of increased female representation in medicine, the proportion of women in radiation oncology residency has increased by 0.9-1.5% annually over a recent six-year span. There remain no significant differences in PRP productivity, dual degree status, or PhD status by gender.