Gender and editorship in oculoplastics societal publications

The status of women in academic ophthalmology: Authorship of papers, presentations, and academic promotions

As the field of ophthalmology has evolved in the last several decades, so has the gender distribution of ophthalmologists. We conducted a narrative review to further characterise the status of women in the realm of publication, presentations, editorial positions, grants, academic promotion, and financial compensation. While the proportion of women publishing, presenting, and filling academic and editorial roles has increased over time, it still does not match that of men. Women are more likely to be first authors instead of senior authors, have lower average h-indices, and are awarded fewer grants. The magnitude of some of these differences is smaller when adjusted for women's shorter career duration on average. Despite increased representation of women in ophthalmology, women continue to receive less compensation for the same work. This review highlights that more can be done to improve gender parity in ophthalmology.

[Current status of French oculoplastics in France and in Europe]

INTRODUCTION

In 2023, oculoplastics in France is experiencing a paradox with an imbalance between demand and supply of trainees. The goal of this study is to establish a factual overview of oculoplastics in France, with its limitations, and make proposals to optimize this sector.

METHODS

An observational study was conducted by compiling epidemiological data related to oculoplastics. This included full-time hospital practitioners (HPs) in French university hospitals (FUH), data from the distributed computerized system for health assessment (SIDES), the specialized cross-disciplinary training (FST) in oculoplastics, the interuniversity diploma (DIU) in oculoplastics, the French University Ophthalmologists College (COUF), and the French Society of Reconstructive and Aesthetic Ophthalmology (SOPREF).

RESULTS

Of the 32 FUH, only 11 full-time HPs (among them 5 academic) are specialized in oculoplastics. Several "priority" regions are underrepresented in oculoplastic surgeons. The number of ophthalmology residency coordinators and residents participating in the oculoplastics FST are decreasing over time and favoring other subspecialties. On the SIDES platform dedicated to residents, 26 (11.5%) of the 226 courses are devoted to oculoplastics. The role of women in oculoplastics is also discussed.

CONCLUSION

Despite offering quality theoretical training, the future of French oculoplastics is clouded by a lack of practical training. Corrective measures include increasing oculoplastic surgeons in the FUH, developing private practice fellowships, prioritizing residents from "priority" regions for the oculoplastics DIU, optimizing the inter-CHU network, creating innovative teaching resources, and organizing specific congresses for the residents.