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Hauer K, Minhas P, McDonald J, Perez S, Phinney L, Lucey C, O'Sullivan P. Inclusive Research in Medical Education: Strategies to Improve Scholarship and Cultivate Scholars. J Gen Intern Med 2024:10.1007/s11606-024-08827-2. [PMID: 39103603 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-024-08827-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Karen Hauer
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Office of Medical Education, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Prabhjot Minhas
- Boston Combined Residency Program in Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Sandra Perez
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Phinney
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Catherine Lucey
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Patricia O'Sullivan
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Higaki AA, Papageorge MV, Waldron C, Huggins L, Brinker M, Erez E, Milewski RC, Woodard GA, Antonoff MB, Lee ME. Gender representation trends in cardiothoracic surgery journal editorial boards. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2024:S0022-5223(24)00541-5. [PMID: 38944272 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2024.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to characterize chronologic trends of gender composition of the editorial boards of major cardiothoracic surgery journals in the current era. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis was performed of gender representation in editorial board members of 2 North American cardiothoracic surgery journals from 2008 to 2023. Member names and roles were collected from available monthly issues. Validated software programming was used to classify gender. The annual proportion of women representation was compared to the thoracic surgery workforce. RESULTS During the study period, 558 individuals (3641 names) were identified, 14.3% of whom were women. The total number of editorial board women increased for both journals. The proportion of women also increased from 2.5% (3 out of 118) in 2008 to 17.8% (71 out of 399) in 2023 (P < .001), exceeding the percentage of women in the thoracic surgery workforce, which increased from 3.8% in 2007 to 8.3% in 2021 (P < .001). The average duration of participation was longer for men than for women (53.8 vs 44.5 months; P = .01). Women in editorial board senior roles also increased from 3.3% (1 out of 30) in 2008 to 28.6% (42 out of 147) in 2023 (P < .001), almost triple the increase in nondesignated roles from 2.3% (2 out of 88) in 2008 to 11.5% (29 out of 252) in 2023 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS In recent years, the appointment of women to the editorial boards of high-impact cardiothoracic surgery journals and senior roles have proportionally exceeded the overall representation of women in cardiothoracic surgery. These findings indicate progress in inclusive efforts and offer insight toward reducing academic gender disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Acuna Higaki
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Marianna V Papageorge
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Christina Waldron
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Lenique Huggins
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Morgan Brinker
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Ely Erez
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Rita C Milewski
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Gavitt A Woodard
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Mara B Antonoff
- Division of Surgery, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Tex
| | - Madonna E Lee
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.
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Wu SS, Katabi L, DeSimone R, Borsting E, Ascha M. A Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Publication Bias in the Plastic Surgery Literature. Plast Reconstr Surg 2024; 153:1032e-1045e. [PMID: 37467390 DOI: 10.1097/prs.0000000000010931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Publication bias (PB) is the preferential publishing of studies with statistically significant results. PB can skew findings of systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs), with potential consequences for patient care and health policy. This study aims to determine the extent to which SRs and MAs in the plastic surgery literature evaluate and report PB. METHODS This cross-sectional study assessed PB reporting and analysis from plastic surgery studies published between January 1, 2015, and June 19, 2020. Full texts of SRs and MAs were assessed by two reviewers for PB assessment methodology and analysis. Post hoc assessment of studies that did not originally analyze PB was performed using Egger regression, Duval, Tweedie trim-and-fill, and Copas selection models. RESULTS There were 549 studies evaluated, of which 531 full texts were included. PB was discussed by 183 studies (34.5%), and formally assessed by 97 studies (18.3%). Among SRs and MAs that formally assessed PB, PB was present in 24 studies (10.7%), not present in 52 (23.1%), and inconclusive in eight (3.6%); 141 studies (62.7%) did not report the results of their PB assessment. Funnel plots were the most common assessment method [ n = 88 (39.1%)], and 60 studies (68.2%) published funnel plots. The post hoc assessment revealed PB in 17 of 20 studies (85.0%). CONCLUSIONS PB is inadequately reported and analyzed among studies in the plastic surgery literature. Most studies that assessed PB found PB, as did post hoc analysis of nonreporting studies. Increased assessment and reporting of PB among SRs and MAs would improve the quality of evidence in plastic surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon S Wu
- From the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
| | - Leila Katabi
- Department of Anesthesia, University of Michigan School of Medicine
| | - Robert DeSimone
- Department of Plastic Surgery, University of California, Irvine
| | - Emily Borsting
- Department of Plastic Surgery, University of California, Irvine
| | - Mona Ascha
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital
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Scott MC, Morrison KT, Gillette R, Harnke B, Kutner JS, Colborn KL. Primary Author Characteristics Associated With Publication in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024; 67:105-111.e1. [PMID: 37863371 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Scientific journals are the primary source for dissemination of research findings, and this process relies on rigorous editorial and peer-review. As part of continuing efforts by the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (JPSM) to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion, JPSM's leadership requested an external evaluation of their publication decisions. OBJECTIVES 1) Describe primary author characteristics associated with final decisions to accept or reject manuscripts submitted for publication; 2) Report on whether there are potential publication biases in the JPSM editorial or peer-review processes. METHODS Data consisted of self-reported primary author demographic characteristics associated with manuscript submissions between June 18, 2020, and December 31, 2022. Characteristics included region of residence, race, gender, and ethnicity. A multiple logistic regression model was used to estimate adjusted odds of rejection for each author characteristic. RESULTS A total of 1940 submissions were evaluated. Compared to authors residing in North America, authors residing in Asia had six-fold greater odds of rejection, authors residing in Europe had four-fold greater odds of rejection, and authors residing in other regions had two-fold greater odds of rejection. Female authors submitted 1.7 times more papers than males, but there was no difference in acceptance rates of their papers in adjusted analysis. CONCLUSION In this analysis of publication decisions by the JPSM, there were differences in acceptance rates by region of residence, ethnicity, and race but not by gender. Asian authors and authors residing in regions outside of North America had greater odds of rejection compared to White or North American authors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurice C Scott
- Department of Medicine (M.C.S., K.T.M., J.S.K., K.L.C.), University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Katherine T Morrison
- Department of Medicine (M.C.S., K.T.M., J.S.K., K.L.C.), University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Riley Gillette
- Adult and Child Center for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science (R.G.), Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Ben Harnke
- University of Colorado Strauss Health Sciences Library, Anschutz Medical Campus (K.L.C.), Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Jean S Kutner
- Department of Medicine (M.C.S., K.T.M., J.S.K., K.L.C.), University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kathryn L Colborn
- Department of Medicine (M.C.S., K.T.M., J.S.K., K.L.C.), University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Adult and Child Center for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science (R.G.), Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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Atilano-Barbosa D, Barrios FA. Brain morphological variability between whites and African Americans: the importance of racial identity in brain imaging research. Front Integr Neurosci 2023; 17:1027382. [PMID: 38192686 PMCID: PMC10773238 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2023.1027382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
In a segregated society, marked by a historical background of inequalities, there is a consistent under-representation of ethnic and racial minorities in biomedical research, causing disparities in understanding genetic and acquired diseases as well as in the effectiveness of clinical treatments affecting different groups. The repeated inclusion of small and non-representative samples of the population in neuroimaging research has led to generalization bias in the morphological characterization of the human brain. A few brain morphometric studies between Whites and African Americans have reported differences in orbitofrontal volumetry and insula cortical thickness. Nevertheless, these studies are mostly conducted in small samples and populations with cognitive impairment. For this reason, this study aimed to identify brain morphological variability due to racial identity in representative samples. We hypothesized that, in neurotypical young adults, there are differences in brain morphometry between participants with distinct racial identities. We analyzed the Human Connectome Project (HCP) database to test this hypothesis. Brain volumetry, cortical thickness, and cortical surface area measures of participants identified as Whites (n = 338) or African Americans (n = 56) were analyzed. Non-parametrical permutation analysis of covariance between these racial identity groups adjusting for age, sex, education, and economic income was implemented. Results indicated volumetric differences in choroid plexus, supratentorial, white matter, and subcortical brain structures. Moreover, differences in cortical thickness and surface area in frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital brain regions were identified between groups. In this regard, the inclusion of sub-representative minorities in neuroimaging research, such as African American persons, is fundamental for the comprehension of human brain morphometric diversity and to design personalized clinical brain treatments for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fernando A. Barrios
- Institute of Neurobiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Juriquilla, Mexico
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Coss NA, Gaitán JM, Adans-Dester CP, Carruthers J, Fanarjian M, Sassano C, Manuel SP, Perakslis E. Does clinical research account for diversity in deploying digital health technologies? NPJ Digit Med 2023; 6:187. [PMID: 37816886 PMCID: PMC10564850 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-023-00928-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Digital health technologies (DHTs) should expand access to clinical research to represent the social determinants of health (SDoH) across the population. The frequency of reporting participant SDoH data in clinical publications is low and is not known for studies that utilize DHTs. We evaluated representation of 11 SDoH domains in 126 DHT-enabled clinical research publications and proposed a framework under which these domains could be captured and subsequently reported in future studies. Sex, Race, and Education were most frequently reported (in 94.4%, 27.8%, and 20.6% of publications, respectively). The remaining 8 domains were reported in fewer than 10% of publications. Medical codes were identified that map to each of the proposed SDoH domains and the resulting resource is suggested to highlight that existing infrastructure could be used to capture SDoH data. An opportunity exists to increase reporting on the representation of SDoH among participants to encourage equitable and inclusive research progress through DHT-enabled clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Solmaz P Manuel
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eric Perakslis
- HumanFirst, Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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Manan MR, Nawaz I, Rahman S, Razzaq A, Zafar F, Qazi A, Liblik K. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on Editorial Boards of Global Health Journals. Asian Bioeth Rev 2023. [PMCID: PMC10018626 DOI: 10.1007/s41649-023-00243-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Journals have been described as “duty bearers” of upholding fundamental ethical principles that are essential for maintaining the ethical integrity of newly generated and disseminated knowledge. To play our part, we evaluated diversity and inclusion in the leadership and management of global and international health journals. We developed Journal Diversity Index (JDI) to measure three parameters of diversity and representation (gender, geographic, socioeconomic status). Relevant information regarding editorial board members of systematically screened journals was sequentially extracted and job titles were categorized into five editorial roles. Chi-squared test was utilized to study associations between gender and geographic distribution of editors along with the Medline indexing of the journal and its impact factor. Out of 43 journals included, 62.7% were published from two high-income countries. Women comprised 44% of the total editors. Among all the editorial board members, we did not find any information suggesting the representation of non-binary and transgender individuals. Furthermore, 68.2% of editors were based in high-income countries with 67.3% of the editors belonging to the Global North. This disparity in geographic region and socioeconomic level was observed across all five editorial roles. Among all women editors, more than 70% worked in non-Medline and non-impact factor journals. Only two journals scored “excellent” on JDI. Despite the continuous evolution of the definition of global health ethics, marginalized individuals, and their perspectives remain underrepresented in this field. Thus, we call for swift action regarding the decentralization and redistribution of global and international health journal editorial boards.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iqra Nawaz
- Faculty of Medicine, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Sara Rahman
- Faculty of Medicine, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Areeba Razzaq
- Faculty of Medicine, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Fatima Zafar
- Faculty of Medicine, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Arisha Qazi
- Faculty of Medicine, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Kiera Liblik
- Faculty of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON Canada
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Nothing about Us without Us: the Roles of Diverse Stakeholders in Scientific Publishing. mBio 2023; 14:e0268522. [PMID: 36880759 PMCID: PMC10127632 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02685-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
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Weaver ML, Sorber RA, Holscher CM, Cox ML, Henry BV, Brooke BS, Cooper MA. The measurable impact of a diversity, equity, and inclusion editor on diversifying content, authorship, and peer review participation in the Journal of Vascular Surgery. J Vasc Surg 2023; 77:330-337. [PMID: 36368645 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2022.10.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Women and minorities remain under-represented in academic vascular surgery. This under-representation persists in the editorial peer review process which may contribute to publication bias. In 2020, the Journal of Vascular Surgery (JVS) addressed this by diversifying the editorial board and creating a new Editor of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The impact of a DEI editor on modifying the output of JVS has not yet been examined. We sought to determine the measurable impact of a DEI editor on diversifying perspectives represented in the journal, and on contributing to changes in the presence of DEI subject matter across published journal content. METHODS The authorship and content of published primary research articles, editorials, and special articles in JVS were examined from November 2019 through July 2022. Publications were examined for the year prior to initiation of the DEI Editor (pre), the year following (post), and from September 2021 to July 2022, accounting for the average 47-week time period from submission to publication in JVS (lag). Presence of DEI topics and women authorship were compared using χ2 tests. RESULTS During the period examined, the number of editorials, guidelines, and other special articles dedicated to DEI topics in the vascular surgery workforce or patient population increased from 0 in the year prior to 4 (16.7%) in the 11-month lag period. The number of editorials, guidelines, and other special articles with women as first or senior authors nearly doubled (24% pre, 44.4% lag; P = .31). Invited commentaries and discussions were increasingly written by women as the study period progressed (18.7% pre, 25.9% post, 42.6% lag; P = .007). The number of primary research articles dedicated to DEI topics increased (5.6% pre, 3.3% post, 8.1% lag; P = .007). Primary research articles written on DEI topics were more likely to have women first or senior authors than non-DEI specific primary research articles (68.0% of all DEI vs 37.5% of a random sampling of non-DEI primary research articles; P < .001). The proportion of distinguished peer reviewers increased (from 2.8% in 2020 to 21.9% in 2021; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS The addition of a DEI editor to JVS significantly impacted the diversification of topics, authorship of editorials, special articles, and invited commentaries, as well as peer review participation. Ongoing efforts are needed to diversify subject matter and perspective in the vascular surgery literature and decrease publication bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Libby Weaver
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.
| | - Rebecca A Sorber
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
| | - Courtenay M Holscher
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
| | - Morgan L Cox
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Brandon V Henry
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Benjamin S Brooke
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Michol A Cooper
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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Martin S, Rhodes AC, Brill CD, Sandoz EK. Diversity-related Factors in Research Mentorship and Publishing in the ACBS Community and the Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. JOURNAL OF CONTEXTUAL BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE 2022; 26:56-62. [PMID: 36275125 PMCID: PMC9586200 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2022.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Gender, racial, and ethnic disparities persist in the scientific community despite increasing attention to research-related equity. Men publish in biomedical, scientific journals more frequently than women researchers and have more leadership roles (e.g., first authorship) in these submissions. Similar differences in scientific publishing appear among under-represented minority (URM) authors compared to White counterparts. These findings of authorship disparities are not consistent across all journals and may relate to mentorship variables. This study aimed to investigate gender and racial patterns of publishing and research mentorship within the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) community, including in the Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (JCBS). Two hundred and eighty-two ACT for Professionals listserv members responded to the anonymous 31-item survey. Men reported significantly more publications and more first author manuscripts than women, both in scientific journals generally and in JCBS specifically. White versus URM respondents more frequently reported publishing in JCBS, but not in other scientific journals. There were no differences in the total number of barriers noted between men and women or between White respondents and URM respondents. The top barriers to publishing among all respondents were lack of time, institutional support, and funding. Women more frequently reported lack of adequate research mentorship or collaboration as a barrier to publishing in scientific journals, as well as in JCBS specifically; men more frequently reported experiencing publishing barriers related to embargos and not having research that was appropriate for JCBS. Identifying as the same gender as one's primary research mentor did not relate to any areas of training. However, participants whose race differed from their mentor were significantly more likely to report training in running a study and receiving positive encouragement. Being matched in terms of gender or race with one's mentor did not relate to publishing variables. Findings highlight the continued gender and racial disparities in publishing within the ACBS community and in JCBS. Recommendations for decreasing these differences through research mentorship and structured training efforts are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Staci Martin
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Amanda C. Rhodes
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Emily K. Sandoz
- Department of Psychology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette LA
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Chao M, Menon C, Elgendi M. Menstrual cycles during COVID-19 lockdowns: A systematic review and meta-analysis. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2022; 4:949365. [PMID: 36303682 PMCID: PMC9580671 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2022.949365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 lockdowns produced psychological and lifestyle consequences for women of reproductive age and changes in their menstrual cycles. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review to characterize changes in menstrual cycle length associated with lockdowns compared to non-lockdown periods. A search on 5 May 2022 retrieved articles published between 1 December 2019, and 1 May 2022, from Medline, Embase, and Web of Science. The included articles were peer-reviewed observational studies with full texts in English, that reported menstrual cycle lengths during lockdowns and non-lockdowns. Cross-sectional and cohort studies were appraised using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Cohort Studies, respectively. Review Manager was used to generate a forest plot with odds ratios (OR) at the 95% confidence interval (CI), finding a significant association between lockdown and menstrual cycle length changes for 21,729 women of reproductive age (OR = 9.14, CI: 3.16-26.50) with a significant overall effect of the mean (Z = 4.08, p < 0.0001). High heterogeneity with significant dispersion of values was observed (I 2 = 99%, τ = 1.40, χ2 = 583.78, p < 0.0001). This review was limited by the availability of published articles that favored high-income countries. The results have implications for adequately preparing women and assisting them with menstrual concerns during lockdown periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Chao
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Carlo Menon
- Biomedical and Mobile Health Technology Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mohamed Elgendi
- Biomedical and Mobile Health Technology Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
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Harbell MW, McMullen K, Kraus MB. In Response. Anesth Analg 2022; 134:e39-e40. [PMID: 35595704 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000005997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Monica W Harbell
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona
| | | | - Molly B Kraus
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona
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Kalidasan D, Goshtasebi A, Chrisler J, Brown HL, Prior JC. Prospective analyses of sex/gender-related publication decisions in general medical journals: editorial rejection of population-based women's reproductive physiology. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e057854. [PMID: 35217542 PMCID: PMC8883282 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether editorial desk rejection at general medical journals (without peer review) of two clinical research manuscripts may relate to author gender or women's physiology topics. Given evidence for bias related to women in science and medicine, and editorial board attitudes, our hypothesis was that submissions by women authors, on women's reproductive, non-disease topics received differential editorial assessment. DESIGN A prospective investigation of publications, author gender and topics in general medical journals in two issues following the editorial rejections of two clinical research manuscripts by five major English-language general medical journals. The rejected manuscripts (subsequently published in lower impact journals) described research funded by national granting bodies, in population-based samples, authored by well-published women scientists at accredited institutions and describing innovative women's reproductive physiology results. SETTING Tertiary academic medical centre. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES All clinical research published in the two issues following rejection date by each of the five major general medical journals were examined for first/senior author gender. The publication topic was assessed for its gendered population relevance, whether disease or physiology focused, and its funding. Rejection letters assessed editor gender and status. RESULTS Women were underrepresented as original research authors; men were 84% of senior and 69% of first authors. There were no, non-disease focused publications relating to women's health, although most topics were relevant to both genders. The majority (80%) of rejection letters appeared to be written by junior-ranked women editors. CONCLUSION Sex/gender accountability is necessary for clinical research-based editorial decisions by major general medical journals. Suggestions to improve gender equity in general medical journal publication: (1) an editorial board sex/gender champion with power to advocate for manuscripts that are well-performed research of relevance to women's health/physiology; (2) an editorial rejection adjudication committee to review author challenges; and (3) gender parity in double-blind peer review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dharani Kalidasan
- Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Azita Goshtasebi
- Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- BC Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Joan Chrisler
- Department of Psychology, Connecticut College,New London, New London, Connecticut, USA
| | - Helen L Brown
- Woodward (Medical) Library, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jerilynn C Prior
- Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- BC Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Dardik A, Curci J, Diaz J, Hedin U, Sachdev-Ost U, Tang G. Diversity, equity, and inclusion in JVS-Vascular Science. JVS Vasc Sci 2021; 2:179-180. [PMID: 34755123 PMCID: PMC8560996 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvssci.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jose Diaz
- Editorial team, JVS-Vascular Science
| | - Ulf Hedin
- Editorial team, JVS-Vascular Science
| | | | - Gale Tang
- Editorial team, JVS-Vascular Science
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