Directors of accredited pediatric ophthalmology fellowship programs: a descriptive analysis

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the characteristics of pediatric ophthalmology fellowship program directors (FPDs) through cross-sectional analysis.

Methods: All pediatric ophthalmology FPDs whose programs participated in the San Francisco Match in January 2020 were included. Information was collected through publicly available sources. Scholarly activity was measured by peer-reviewed articles and the Hirsch index.

Results: Of the 43 FPDs, 22 (51%) were male, and 21 (49%) were female. The mean age of current FPDs was 53.5 ± 8.8 years old. There was a significant difference between the current age of male and female FPDs (57.8 ± 8 vs 49 ± 7.3, resp. [P <0.0001]). The mean term length of female and male FPDs also differed (11.5 ± 4.5 vs 16.1 ± 8.9 [P = 0.042]). Thirty-eight FPDs (88%) attended medical school in the United States. Forty-two FPDs had an MD (98%). Thirty-nine (91%) FPDs completed ophthalmology residency in the United States. Ten (23%) of the FPDs were dual fellowship trained. There was a significantly higher Hirsch-index among male than female FPDs (23.9 ± 15.7 vs 10.3 ± 10.1 [P = 0.0017]). There was a higher number of publications for male (91 ± 89) than female FPDs (31.5 ± 48.6 [P = 0.0099]).

Conclusions: Pediatric ophthalmology fellowship programs have a uniquely equal representation of male and female FPDs as women continue to be underrepresented in ophthalmology. Female FPDs were younger and had spent less time in the position, suggesting a shift toward more female FPD over time.