“Gender and Ethnic Diversity in Plastic Surgery: Temporal Trends Among Speakers at National and Regional Plastic Surgery Conferences”

Abstract

Background: Scientific leadership among women and underrepresented minorities is lacking in plastic surgery. It is unknown whether the underrepresentation of women and ethnic minorities extends into academic conferences. The authors evaluated the temporal trends of female and ethnic minority representation at plastic surgery conferences in the United States. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all presentations from seven national and regional plastic surgery meetings between 2014 and 2018 was conducted. Gender, ethnicity, and academic rank of the first authors were determined by analyzing pronouns, institutional biographies, and accompanying images identified in online searches. Results: A total of 4180 abstracts were presented by 3452 first authors. The majority of first authors were of European descent (53%), male (65%), and most commonly a resident physician (42%). Women were found to have a greater representation at plastic surgery conferences than in the plastic surgery workforce (34% versus 17%; P < 0.0001). Similarly, relative to American Association of Medical Colleges demographics, individuals of Asian descent were overrepresented as first authors (27% versus 12%; P < 0.0001), whereas first authors of European descent were less prevalent (53% versus 64%; P < 0.0001). When compared with national plastic surgery conferences, regional conferences had a greater proportion of first authors of European descent (51% versus 58%; P < 0.0001) but a lower proportion of first authors of East Asian descent (21% versus 16%; P = 0.0001). Ethnic representation remained persistently low, with first authors of South Asian descent decreasingly represented [from 2014 (10%) to 2018 (6%); P = 0.0062]. Conclusions: Collectively, we present multilevel data that show a promising trend of increased female representation at national meetings. However, there appears to be a decline in ethnic diversity.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Plastic Surgery

“…Tolson et al 125 reported that Whites and Asians were overrepresented in plastic surgery societies and editorial boards. Landford et al 122 found that Asians were overrepresented as first authors (27% vs 12% in workforce).…”

“…Landford et al 122 reported a greater representation by women as presenters at plastic surgery meetings (34%) than in the workforce (17%). Jacobson et al 123 reported that the proportion of female speakers at hand surgery meetings increased from 4% to 19% between 2010 and 2020.…”

“…A total of 138 publications were identified 3–140 Figure 1. demonstrates the number of publications appearing annually in the 6 journals from January 2018 to September 2023.…”

“…Many studies provide evidence of bias and discrimination against Whites and Asians in the form of a preference for underrepresented minorities in hiring academic faculty, providing scholarships, and favoritism intended to recruit underrepresented minorities. Some studies cited an “overrepresentation” of Asians among plastic surgery fellows and authors 114,122 . Noel et al 35 reported that 17% of plastic surgeons are Asian versus 1% of patients.…”

“…Some studies cited an "overrepresentation" of Asians among plastic surgery fellows and authors. 114,122 Noel et al 35 reported that 17% of plastic surgeons are Asian versus 1% of patients. Tolson et al 125 concluded that Whites and Asians are overrepresented in plastic surgery societies and on editorial boards.…”