Gender trends in gynecologic oncology authorship: Implications for the critical evaluation of gender distribution in academic rank and leadership positions.

Objective: To investigate trends in the representation of women as first, last, or co-authors in Gynecologic Oncology (GO) publications over the past 15 years. To compare rates of female authorship in GO versus general Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) and with the gender distribution of membership in the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO).

Methods: Gender was determined for first and last authors of GO publications from three major journals for 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015. The Z test was used to assess differences in proportions of female authors between 2000 and 2015 and first versus last female authors in each year. GO authorship trends were compared to those of general Ob/Gyn and new and total membership in SGO using the chi squared test.

Results: 1815 publications were included. Percentages of female first, last, and co-authors increased over time (p < 0.001), reaching 52%, 39%, and 23%, respectively, by 2015. Fewer women were listed as last than as first authors at each time point (p < 0.01). Proportions of female authors in general Ob/Gyn exceeded those of GO. Women comprised a growing proportion of both new and total SGO members over time (p < 0.01). New female SGO membership outpaced rates of female GO authorship, but GO female first authorship surpassed total female SGO membership (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Women comprise a growing proportion of GO providers and SGO members and have become increasingly productive in academic GO. Differences in publication authorship alone cannot account for gender disparities in the distribution of academic rank and leadership positions in the field.