Residency Program Directors of United States Ophthalmology Programs: A Descriptive Analysis.

PURPOSE

To analyze the academic background, scholarly achievements, and demographic characteristics of all US ophthalmology residency program directors (PDs).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Online search of publicly available resources conducted from February 16, 2019, to February 26, 2019.

STUDY POPULATION

116 ophthalmology residency PDs. Main outcome measurements were demographic and academic data.

RESULTS

A total of 116 program directors were analyzed. Eighty-four of 116 (72%) PDs were male. The average age was 50.0 years old. The mean age at appointment was 42.9 years old. Ninety-three percent graduated from an American medical school, and 97% received an MD degree. Twenty percent of PDs completed an additional graduate degree, most commonly a master's degree (7 of 23) and doctor of philosophy (7 of 23). Seventy-eight percent completed a fellowship, with the most frequent in glaucoma (24%), cornea and external diseases (22%), and neuroophthalmology (21%). The mean number of publications according to PubMed was 17.6 (range, 0-92). There were no significant differences between the average number of publications by male PDs and those by female PDs (19.2 ± 20.5 vs. 13.5 ± 23.1, respectively; P = 0.21). On average, the H-index was 8.7 (range, 0-35) and was higher in male than in female PDs (9.8 ± 8.3 vs. 5.4 ± 4.0, respectively; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Ophthalmology PDs are predominantly male with fellowship training in glaucoma, cornea, or neuro-ophthalmology. Women remain underrepresented, and future efforts should be aimed at addressing this disparity.