The proportion of male and female editors in women's health journals: A critical analysis and review of the sex gap
Academic medicine
Editorial board
Faculty satisfaction
Gender inequity
Leadership
Promotion
Journal
International journal of women's dermatology
ISSN: 2352-6475
Titre abrégé: Int J Womens Dermatol
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101654170
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Jan 2020
Jan 2020
Historique:
received:
09
10
2019
revised:
17
11
2019
accepted:
17
11
2019
entrez:
7
2
2020
pubmed:
7
2
2020
medline:
7
2
2020
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Historically, women have been underrepresented in leadership positions in medicine. The reasons for this are multifactorial. In recent years, women's representation in medicine has improved. However, inequities in the proportion of men and women in medical leadership remain, especially with regard to editorial journal boards. This study aimed to explore current trends of women in leadership positions on journal editorial boards. A comprehensive search for women's health journals was performed in collaboration with university librarians in February 2019 using EMBASE, Scopus, SciFinder, and MEDLINE records for journals with relevance to women's health. Each journal was e-mailed to verify the accuracy of the journal editorial boards listed on their respective webpages. Five categories, as well as the totals for each journal, were analyzed for the proportion of women versus men: editor-in-chief, associate editor, deputy editor, and section editor, and other. Women comprised the minority of positions on women's health editorial boards. Of the total 1440 board members included, 602 members (42%) were women and 838 members (58%) were men. Women occupied 54 of 132 editor-in-chief positions (41%), 257 of 596 associate editor positions (43%), 13 of 42 deputy editor positions (30%), 46 of 120 section editor positions (38%), and 232 of 549 other editor positions (42%). Although the sex gap in leadership in medicine is improving, it is still present. Our findings suggest that women are underrepresented as editors at most levels in women's health journals centered on topics such as reproductive health, obstetrics and gynecology, perinatology, gynecological oncology, and breastfeeding. With sponsorship/mentorship for women, flexible scheduling, and considerate thought in leadership appointment, this sex gap will continue to improve.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Historically, women have been underrepresented in leadership positions in medicine. The reasons for this are multifactorial. In recent years, women's representation in medicine has improved. However, inequities in the proportion of men and women in medical leadership remain, especially with regard to editorial journal boards.
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to explore current trends of women in leadership positions on journal editorial boards.
METHODS
METHODS
A comprehensive search for women's health journals was performed in collaboration with university librarians in February 2019 using EMBASE, Scopus, SciFinder, and MEDLINE records for journals with relevance to women's health. Each journal was e-mailed to verify the accuracy of the journal editorial boards listed on their respective webpages. Five categories, as well as the totals for each journal, were analyzed for the proportion of women versus men: editor-in-chief, associate editor, deputy editor, and section editor, and other.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Women comprised the minority of positions on women's health editorial boards. Of the total 1440 board members included, 602 members (42%) were women and 838 members (58%) were men. Women occupied 54 of 132 editor-in-chief positions (41%), 257 of 596 associate editor positions (43%), 13 of 42 deputy editor positions (30%), 46 of 120 section editor positions (38%), and 232 of 549 other editor positions (42%).
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Although the sex gap in leadership in medicine is improving, it is still present. Our findings suggest that women are underrepresented as editors at most levels in women's health journals centered on topics such as reproductive health, obstetrics and gynecology, perinatology, gynecological oncology, and breastfeeding. With sponsorship/mentorship for women, flexible scheduling, and considerate thought in leadership appointment, this sex gap will continue to improve.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32025554
doi: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2019.11.005
pii: S2352-6475(19)30123-6
pmc: PMC6997826
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Review
Langues
eng
Pagination
7-12Informations de copyright
© 2019 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Women's Dermatologic Society.
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