Impact of fellowship training on research productivity in academic otolaryngology.
OBJECTIVE
Assessment of scholarly productivity as measured by research output is a key component of decisions regarding appointment and advancement in academic otolaryngology. An increasing number of graduating residents are pursuing postresidency fellowships, and evaluation of research productivity among these subspecialists is important in determining their role in academic otolaryngology departments. The h-index is a reliable indicator of research productivity, as it takes into account both quantity and relevance of research contributions. Our objective was to evaluate and compare trends in research productivity among the various otolaryngology subspecialties.


METHODS
Analysis of research productivity trends among otolaryngology subspecialties using the h-index.


METHODS
Faculty members from 92 academic otolaryngology departments were organized by subspecialty and academic rank, and their research productivity, as measured by the h-index, was calculated using the Scopus database.


RESULTS
Fellowship-trained otolaryngologists in academic programs had higher h-indices than non-fellowship-trained otolaryngologists. Head and neck surgeons and otologists had significantly higher research productivity than their peers in other otolaryngology subspecialties. Analysis of the subspecialties of chairpersons indicated that 62% were either head and neck surgeons or otologists.


CONCLUSIONS
Fellowship-trained otolaryngologists had higher h-indices, and faculty members trained in the subspecialties with the highest research productivity were disproportionately represented in positions of leadership within academic otolaryngology, probably reflecting the importance of research contributions in the academic advancement process, although other factors, such as educational contributions and clinical performance, may also be important factors.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA. jean.anderson.eloy@gmail.com
Jean Anderson
JA
Eloy
Peter F
PF
Svider
Kevin M
KM
Mauro
Michael
M
Setzen
Soly
S
Baredes
D035843:Biomedical Research; D004526:Efficiency; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce