{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Gender Representation Trends in Cardiothoracic Surgery Journal Editorial Boards.
{Author}: Higaki AA;Papageorge MV;Waldron C;Huggins L;Brinker M;Erez E;Milewski RC;Woodard GA;Antonoff MB;Lee ME;
{Journal}: J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jun 27
{Factor}: 6.439
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2024.06.019
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>We aimed to characterize chronologic trends of gender composition of major cardiothoracic surgery journal editorial boards in the current era.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A cross-sectional analysis was performed of gender representation in editorial board members of two North American cardiothoracic surgery journals from 2008 to 2023. Member names and roles were collected from available monthly issues. Validated software programming was used to classify gender. The annual proportion of women representation was compared to the thoracic surgery workforce.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>During the study period, 558 individuals (3,641 names) were identified, 14.3% of whom were women. The total number of editorial board women increased for both journals. The proportion of women also increased from 2.5% (3/118) in 2008 to 17.8% (71/399) in 2023 (P < .001), exceeding the percentage of women in the thoracic surgery workforce which increased from 3.8% in 2007 to 8.3% in 2021 (P < .001). The average duration of participation was longer for men than for women (53.8 vs 44.5 months, P = .01). Women in editorial board senior roles also increased from 3.3% (1/30) in 2008 to 28.6% (42/147) in 2023 (P < .001), almost triple the increase in non-designated roles from 2.3% (2/88) in 2008 to 11.5% (29/252) in 2023 (P < .001).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>In recent years, the appointment of women to high-impact cardiothoracic surgery journal editorial boards and senior roles have proportionally exceeded the overall representation of women in cardiothoracic surgery. These findings indicate progress in inclusive efforts and offer insight towards reducing academic gender disparities.