Is 2020 the golden year of Otolaryngology research? The impact of COVID-19 on the Italian academic production

Perspectives on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Research: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Pediatric Otolaryngologists

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the perspectives of pediatric otolaryngologists on the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on their research.

METHODS

Two surveys were sent to members of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) in 2019 and 2021 to assess research perspectives before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The surveys contained questions about research engagement, barriers, time allocation, and shifts in research focus.

RESULTS

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped research within pediatric otolaryngology, with a mixed impact on the amount of time allocated to research endeavors. Almost half of respondents reported a change in research focus to COVID-19-related studies. Protected time and funding were significant pre-pandemic barriers, whereas reduced staff, collaboration opportunities, and enrollment limitations emerged as key pandemic-related obstacles. A personal commitment to research was most strongly correlated with time spent on this endeavor. During the pandemic, women were less likely to report an increase in research activity when compared to men, possibly due to a disproportionate burden of caregiving on women during school closures and stay-at-home orders.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the pandemic prompted both increases and decreases in research time allocation, depending on individual circumstances and priorities. Despite new challenges, pediatric otolaryngologists remain committed to research and have continued to remain productive.

Impact of COVID-19 on Otolaryngology Literature

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To understand the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the volume, quality, and impact of otolaryngology publications.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

METHODS

Fifteen of the top peer-reviewed otolaryngology journals were queried on PubMed for COVID and non-COVID-related articles from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 (pandemic period) and pre-COVID articles from the year prior. Information on total number of submissions and rate of acceptance were collected from seven top-ranked journals.

RESULTS

Our PubMed query returned 759 COVID articles, 4,885 non-COVID articles, and 4,200 pre-COVID articles, corresponding to a 34% increase in otolaryngology publications during the pandemic period. Meta-analysis/reviews and miscellaneous publication types made up a larger portion of COVID publications than that of non-COVID and pre-COVID publications. Compared to pre-COVID articles, citations per article 120 days after publication and Altmetric Attention Score were higher in both COVID articles (citations/article: 2.75 ± 0.45, P < .001; Altmetric Attention Score: 2.05 ± 0.60, P = .001) and non-COVID articles (citations/article: 0.03 ± 0.01, P = .002; Altmetric Attention Score: 0.67 ± 0.28, P = .016). COVID manuscripts were associated with a 1.65 times higher acceptance rate compared to non-COVID articles (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 was associated with an increase in volume, citations, and attention for both COVID and non-COVID articles compared to pre-COVID articles. However, COVID articles were associated with lower evidence levels than non-COVID and pre-COVID articles.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 132:1364-1373, 2022.