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O'Connor TM, Guaman MC, Randell KA, Keenan HT, Snowden J, Mack JW, Camp EA, Perez O, Chang ML, Myers AL, Nigrovic LE, O'Toole J, Reed JL, Reese J, Rosenberg AR, Slater AC, Wootton SH, Ziniel SI, Yost HJ, Murray KO, Shekerdemian L, Chumpitazi CE. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric faculty: a report from nine academic institutions. Pediatr Res 2024; 95:775-784. [PMID: 37454186 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02726-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic affected home and work routines, which may exacerbate existing academic professional disparities. Objectives were to describe the impact of the pandemic on pediatric faculty's work productivity, identify groups at risk for widening inequities, and explore mitigation strategies. METHODS A cross-sectional study of faculty members was conducted at nine U.S. pediatric departments. Responses were analyzed by demographics, academic rank, and change in home caregiving responsibility. RESULTS Of 5791 pediatric faculty members eligible, 1504 (26%) completed the survey. The majority were female (64%), over 40 years old (60%), and assistant professors (47%). Only 7% faculty identified as underrepresented in medicine. Overall 41% reported an increase in caregiving during the pandemic. When comparing clinical, administrative, research, and teaching activities, faculty reported worse 1-year outlook for research activities. Faculty with increased caregiving responsibilities were more likely to report concerns over delayed promotion and less likely to have a favorable outlook regarding clinical and research efforts. Participants identified preferred strategies to mitigate challenges. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted pediatric faculty productivity with the greatest effects on those with increased caregiving responsibilities. COVID-19 was particularly disruptive to research outlook. Mitigation strategies are needed to minimize the long-term impacts on academic pediatric careers. IMPACT The COVID-19 pandemic most negatively impacted work productivity of academic pediatric faculty with caregiving responsibilities. COVID-19 was particularly disruptive to short-term (1-year) research outlook among pediatric faculty. Faculty identified mitigation strategies to minimize the long-term impacts of the pandemic on academic pediatric career pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresia M O'Connor
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Division of Academic General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Milenka Cuevas Guaman
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kimberly A Randell
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
- University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA
- University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Heather T Keenan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jessica Snowden
- Section of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas Medical School, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Jennifer W Mack
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Camp
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Oriana Perez
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael L Chang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, UT Health Houston McGovern Medical School and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Angela L Myers
- University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA
- University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Lise E Nigrovic
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer O'Toole
- Department of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- UC Health, Department of Internal Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jennifer L Reed
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Emergency Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jennifer Reese
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Abby R Rosenberg
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology & Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anne C Slater
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Susan H Wootton
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, UT Health Houston McGovern Medical School and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sonja I Ziniel
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - H Joseph Yost
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Kristy O Murray
- Division of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lara Shekerdemian
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Corrie E Chumpitazi
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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