From the Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (Karimi, Burkhart, Lavu, Shah, and Mistovich), and the MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH (Mistovich).
J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2024 Jun 15;32(12):e605-e612. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-23-00958. Epub 2024 Apr 10.
Despite recent efforts to increase the participation of women in orthopaedic surgery, there remains a gender gap, particularly when compared with other medical specialties. Acting as a principal investigator (PI) in a clinical trial can give physicians notable exposure and national recognition, which can improve their chances of promotion and tenure. This study aims to assess the proportion of women serving as PIs in pediatric orthopaedic clinical trials, examine associated trial characteristics, and explore geographic distribution.
A cross-sectional analysis of clinical trials was conducted using data from the ClinicalTrials.gov registry. Specific search terms were used to identify pediatric orthopaedic trials. Data on trial characteristics, including phase, status, funding source, and intervention type, were collected. PI sex was determined using Genderize.io, an application program interface that predicts the sex of individuals based on their name, and the geographic distribution of women PIs was examined.
From 2007 to 2022, women PIs increased from zero to 26.86%. The United States saw no significant increase (β = 1.553; P = 0.125), but international trials did (β = 2.845; P = 0.008). Women PIs led more active/completed trials and trials with behavioral/other interventions. Geographic analysis showed higher representation in North America (38.47%), especially the Northeast (28.17%) and West (25.35%). The United States had 28.74% women PIs, with California (15.49%) leading.
Progress toward gender parity in pediatric orthopaedic research is evident; however, disparities still exist. Efforts to provide additional research opportunities for women in orthopaedics may be crucial in attracting and retaining diverse talent in the field. Targeted initiatives may have potential in achieving equal representation in orthopaedics.
尽管最近为增加女性在骨科手术中的参与度做出了努力，但仍存在性别差距，尤其是与其他医学专业相比。作为临床试验的主要研究者（PI）可以使医生获得显著的曝光率和国家认可，这可以提高他们晋升和终身职位的机会。本研究旨在评估女性在小儿骨科临床试验中担任 PI 的比例，检查相关试验特征，并探讨地理分布。
使用来自 ClinicalTrials.gov 注册处的数据进行了一项临床试验的横断面分析。使用特定的搜索词来识别小儿骨科试验。收集了试验特征的数据，包括阶段、状态、资金来源和干预类型。使用 Genderize.io 确定 PI 的性别，这是一种根据个人姓名预测性别的应用程序接口，还检查了女性 PI 的地理分布。
从 2007 年到 2022 年，女性 PI 从无增加到 26.86%。美国没有显著增加（β=1.553；P=0.125），但国际试验确实增加了（β=2.845；P=0.008）。女性 PI 领导了更多的活跃/完成的试验和具有行为/其他干预的试验。地理分析显示，北美（38.47%）的代表性更高，尤其是东北部（28.17%）和西部（25.35%）。美国有 28.74%的女性 PI，加利福尼亚州（15.49%）领先。
在小儿骨科研究中实现性别均等的进展是明显的；然而，仍存在差距。为骨科领域的女性提供更多研究机会的努力可能对吸引和留住多元化人才至关重要。有针对性的举措可能在实现骨科领域的平等代表权方面具有潜力。
