Diversity in the Dermatology Workforce and in Academic Medicine

Industry Payments Comparison Between Female and Male Mohs Surgeons From 2015 to 2021

BACKGROUND

There are limited data on female Mohs surgeon industry relationships.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate industry payment activity between female and male Mohs surgeons.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services open payments data was performed between 2015 and 2021 for Mohs surgeons in the United States. Gender, academic affiliation, practice region, annual total payment, cumulative payment, and industry payment type was collected.

RESULTS

Male Mohs surgeons received higher mean total payments than female Mohs surgeons ( p = .04), which persisted when data were stratified based on industry payment type and practice region. Both genders had similar median total payments ( p = .4). Females in academic practice received higher mean total payments than those in private practice. Females experienced a significant lower mean total payment compared with males in the South ( p = .03).

CONCLUSION

High total payments received by male Mohs surgeons skewed the data, which is supported by a significant mean total payment difference despite a similar median total payment distribution. Female Mohs surgeons receiving the top payments may address this mean payment difference. Females seem to have higher payments if they practice in the Northeast and are in academics. Further studies are needed to evaluate this payment gap.