Retrospective analysis shows static first author rates for women in orthopedic journals, suggesting a need for senior female mentorship.
Key Points
Female first authors in orthopedic journals remained stable from 2018 to 2022, despite overall female authorship increasing substantially.
In leading journals, women's first author rates were between 14.2% and 17.1%, but senior female authors significantly influenced overall representation.
A bibliometric review assessed publication trends, revealing an increase in average female authors per publication from 0.78 to 2.47.
Support from senior female authors enhanced the likelihood of female first authors, highlighting the importance of female mentorship in orthopedic surgery.