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333 - Trends in Gender Representation Within Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and its Subspecialties

Thursday, February 27, 2025

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM MST

Presenting Author(s)

CW

Corinne Winsten, BS

Medical Student
University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix
Tucson, Arizona, United States
JC

Jennifer R. Codd, n/a

Medical Student
University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
MO

Milan Oxspring, BS

Medical Student
University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Objectives: Trend the changes in gender representation within physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) and its subspecialties over the past 10 years. The proportion of female physicians has been increasing over time. However, the field of PM&R has historically been predominantly male. This study investigates how these patterns have changed and aims to further the conversation regarding gender underrepresentation within PM&R and its subspecialties.

Design: This 10-year retrospective analysis examines gender representation in PM&R residency programs using ACGME Accreditation Data System data from 2013-2023. Primary outcome: gender proportion in PM&R residents. Secondary outcomes: PM&R gender representation compared to other residencies and within subspecialty training.

Results: Over the last 10 years, the average proportion of female PM&R residents was 37%, with a range of 33.4-39.5%. This has been down-trending over the last 5 years, with the most recent data from 2022-2023 showing the lowest overall percentage of females (33.4%). The average percentage of female-filled residency positions across all specialties over the last 10 years is 47.7%. Notably, no non-binary residents have been self-reported since the category’s inclusion. When comparing equitable gender representation across specialties over time, PM&R ranked above the median (15th out of 31) in 2014 and the 10th lowest out of 36 in 2023. The subspecialties of PM&R also possess differences in gender distribution. PM&R Sports Medicine fellowship positions have ranged from 18.8-45.5% female. However, Pediatric PM&R positions have ranged from 60-88.9% female.

Conclusions: There is a pattern of female underrepresentation in PM&R residency over the last decade that is not only below average for residency positions as a whole but also down-trending. Pediatric PM&R is the only subspecialty that is female-predominant. Further analysis including race, sexuality, disability, and socioeconomic status is necessary to fully characterize the social systems affecting equitable representation within PM&R.