The State of Female Surgeon-Scientists in Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery

Objective: 1) Analyze National Institutes of Health grant disbursement to female otolaryngologists, 2) compare funding patterns to those of ophthalmology and neurosurgery, and 3) provide strategies to increase female surgeon-scientists. Methods: The principal investigators of K, R, and U grants in each specialty were collected from the National Institutes of Health Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools Expenditures and Results for 2000-2021. To factor in the number of females versus males, the number of female or male grant holders was divided by the respective number of female or male physicians in each field for proportional analysis. Conversion rates of K to R or U grants were calculated. Results: Otolaryngology had a 1.46 times higher rate of female K grant holders (p=0.02), and a trend of 1.27 times higher rate of female R and U grant holders than male grant holders (p=0.13). Neurosurgery had 2.23 times greater rate of female K grant holders (p<0.01), and 2.62 times greater rate of female R and U grant holders than otolaryngology (p<0.01). Ophthalmology trended to have a 0.25 times higher rate of female K grant holders (p=0.24), but a 0.19 times lower rate of R and U grant holders than otolaryngology (p=0.12). Female otolaryngology grant holders tended to convert at a 24.4% lower rate than males (p=0.13). Conclusion: Female otolaryngology surgeon-scientists’ success in obtaining funding reflects successful prior initiatives and holds promise for increased female representation in leadership. However, there are fewer female otolaryngology grant holders compared to neurosurgery, illuminating the need for continued efforts.