Disparities in Promotion and Retention Rates Among Underrepresented in Medicine Faculty in US Ophthalmology Departments

PURPOSE: This study examines the rates and trends of faculty promotions within the field of ophthalmology, with comparative emphasis on the rates of promotion among underrepresented in medicine (URiM) faculty.DESIGN: A retrospective panel study was conducted using the Association of American Medical Colleges Faculty Roster database.METHODS: We used the Association of American Medical Colleges Faculty Roster data to assess trends in academic faculty promotions within U.S. ophthalmology departments. Full-time assistant and associate professors appointed between 2000 and 2010 were included in the analysis, and tracked until November 2021 to determine promotion rates. Pearson chi(2) and Fisher exact tests were used to evaluate differences in promotion and retention rates based on gender, race and ethnicity, advanced degree, and tenure status.RESULTS: The demographics of 1436 assistant and 680 associate faculty members were obtained for analysis through the Association of American Medical Colleges. Black faculty had lower promotion rates when compared with White faculty (20% vs 37%, P < .001). Faculty with MD and PhD degrees demonstrated higher promo-tion rates than faculty with MD degrees alone (59% vs 36%, P < .001). In addition, faculty not on tenure track had lower rates of promotion than those on tenure track (35% vs 48%, P < .001). With respect to faculty retention, among assistant and associate professors combined, Black faculty and faculty without tenure track appointments were more likely to leave academic medicine (46% vs 33%, P < .001) and (36% vs 27%, P < .001), respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, promotion rates varied significantly by race/ethnicity. Specifically, Black faculty had lower rates of promotion and retention in academic medicine. These findings underscore the need to ex-plore and implement strategies and policies to address equity in promotion rates and retention of URiM fac-ulty within academic ophthalmology.

Automated summary

This study examines the rates and trends of faculty promotions within the field of ophthalmology, with a focus on the rates of promotion among underrepresented in medicine (URiM) faculty. The results show that Black faculty had lower promotion rates and were more likely to leave academic medicine, highlighting the need for strategies and policies to address equity in promotion rates and retention of URiM faculty in academic ophthalmology.