Researchers from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and Rush University conducted a bibliometric analysis of the Annals of Family Medicine to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted submission rates based on gender. Examining submission rates from January 1, 2015 to July 15, 2020, the study authors found that women represented 46.33% of all manuscript submissions. They found that the overall volume of submissions increased during COVID-19 as compared to pre-pandemic months, though submissions increased by 122% for men and 101% for women.
In the early months of the pandemic, 244 submissions were authored by men (58.5%) versus 173 submissions authored by women (41.5%). Throughout the pandemic, men submitted more original research articles and research briefs compared to women.
The study authors write that since the beginning of shelter-in-place orders, women scientists have experienced a significant decrease in work productivity in comparison to men. This may mean that in the future, they are less likely to be promoted within their field. The authors recommend that academic medical centers reevaluate promotion and tenure considerations to reflect the shift in education and clinical needs in response to COVID-19. They also suggest more supportive policies around parental leave, childcare and tenure extensions, which may help mitigate challenges faced by women researchers during the pandemic.
COVID-19 and Gender Differences in Family Medicine Scholarship
Katherine M. Wright, PhD, MPH, et al
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
https://www.annfammed.org/content/20/1/32
The Annals of Family Medicine