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Interdisciplinary Representation of Burn Surgery Journal and Society Leadership
Caroline E. Kettering, Sarah P. Erpeneck, Guy M. Stofman MD, Jenny A. Ziembicki MD FACS, Francesco Egro M.B.ChB. M.Sc M.R.C.S
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
2021-01-31
Presenter: Sarah Erpenbeck
Affidavit:
This abstract was presented in the Fall of 2020 at the Northeast Region Burn Conference as an oral presentation. A paper on this study was also published in the fall in the Journal of Burn Care & Research.
Director Name: Vu Nguyen
Author Category: Medical Student
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
Burn care is a complex craft that requires an interdisciplinary approach. It includes a diverse array of specialty providers to provide holistic, specialized care to burn victims. This study aims to evaluate the diverse array of subspecialties involved in burn surgery journal and society leadership.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2019 by examining characteristics of society and journal leaders. Current governance and committee members of the American Burn Association (ABA) and International Society of Burn Injuries (ISBI) were determined, as well as the editors of five major burn journals. Information gathered included occupation, advanced degrees obtained, and type of residency training.
Of 384 editorial board members identified, 76% were physicians (n=291), with specialties including burn surgery (n=208, 54%) and anesthesiology (n=22, 6%). Among non-physicians (n=78, 20%), 76% were medical researchers (n=59), 8% physical therapists (n=6), and 5% nurses (n=4). Looking at ABA and ISBI governance (n=29), 82% were physicians (n=24). Non-physician ABA and ISBI leaders were nurses (n=2, 7%) and occupational therapists (n=2, 7%). Of 467 identified ABA and ISBI committee members, half were physicians (n=244, 52%). There was a wide array of non-physician occupations among committee members, from nurses (n=99, 21%), to occupational therapists (n=25, 5%), and even fire fighters (n=6, 1%).
Burn surgery journal and society leadership reflects the interdisciplinary nature of burn care by including an array of subspecialties. Yet, physicians tend to dominate academic burn leadership in comparison to other disciplines, highlighting the need for more non-physician representation in leadership positions.
