Academic otolaryngology in the new millennium: We are falling behind

Abstract

Objectives

Determine if young academic otolaryngologists are exhibiting declining publication rates.

Study Design and Setting

A sample of 50 academic otolaryngologists graduating during 1995 to 1999 was selected randomly. For the five years post-graduation, peer-reviewed publications were determined from MEDLINE. Publication rates were compared with prior decade cohorts (1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s).

Results

The recent cohort of academic otolaryngologists published a mean of 4.5 articles in five years versus 6.4 for the early 1990s cohort and 8.9 for the 1980s cohort, a statistically significant decline (P = 0.020, ANOVA). Similar declines in major otolaryngology articles (2.4 [1995 to 1999] vs 3.3 [1990 to 1994] vs 5.7 [1980s], P = 0.005) and number of first author articles (1.3 vs 1.6 vs 3.1, P = 0.007) published were noted.

Conclusions

The scholarly output of young academic otolaryngologists is declining when compared with academic otolaryngologists graduating the 1980s and early 1990s.

Significance

This raises concern for the potential career success of new academic otolaryngologists.