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Scientific Oral Presentation

Care Equity, Quality, and Safety

Gender Representation in Highly Cited Otolaryngology Research from 2014-2024

Saturday, October 17, 2026
9:36 AM - 9:42 AM PT
Location: 406A

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Annika Nambiar, MPH

    Medical Student
    University of Texas Medical Branch
    Galveston, TX, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • AD

    Anusha Dabak, BSA

    Medical Student
    John Sealy School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, United States

  • Maia R. Smith, BSA, MS

    Medical Student
    University of Texas Medical Branch
    Galveston, TX, United States

  • NS

    Noor Souman, BS

    Medical Student
    University of Texas Medical Branch, United States

  • Delaney S. Clark, n/a

    Medical Student
    The University of Texas Medical Branch
    Galveston, TX, United States

    • Senior Author(s)

  • OC

    Orly M. Coblens, MD

    Associate Professor
    The University of Texas Medical Branch
    Galveston, Texas, United States

Disclosure(s):
Annika Nambiar, MPH:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Maia R. Smith, BSA, MS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Authorship in highly cited otolaryngology publications reflects academic visibility and advancement. This study examined gender representation among first and senior authors across subspecialties.

Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective analysis of the 50 most cited articles from seven subspecialties was performed. The year of publication, journal, citation count, and gender of first and senior authors were recorded. Chi-square tests of independence evaluated differences in gender distribution across specialties, and goodness-of-fit tests compared observed authorship gender to expected values based on workforce gender data. Gender pairing patterns between first and senior authors were analyzed using chi-square tests. Citation impact by subspecialty was assessed using a two-sample t-test.

Results: Women were significantly underrepresented as senior authors in pediatrics, laryngology, head and neck cancer, and facial plastics. However, a significantly higher number of women were first authors in otology and facial plastics (p < 0.05). Gender pairing patterns were also non-random (p < 0.001), with same-gender author pairs occurring more frequently and cross-gender pairs less frequently than expected. No significant differences in citation impact were found based on author gender.

Conclusions: Senior author data suggest underrepresentation of established women in the research space, while the increase in women first authors indicates a growing presence of women researchers entering the field. When women contributed to high-impact research, their work was cited at rates comparable to men. One potential barrier is the lower frequency of cross-gender mentorship in a specialty that remains predominantly male. Despite increasing representation, a gender gap in otolaryngology research persists.