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Late-Breaking Scientific Oral Presentations

Professional and Personal Development

Session: Late-Breaking Scientific Orals: The Otolaryngology Community and Systems

Disparities in Early Otolaryngology Exposure by Gender and Socioeconomic Status

Monday, September 30, 2024
10:12 AM – 10:18 AM EDT
Location: MBCC, 222
Disclosure(s):
Oluwatobiloba O. Ayo-Ajibola, BS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

William L. Zeng, BS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Tyler J. Gallagher, BS, BA:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Neil N. Luu, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Given disparities in representation within otolaryngology, there have been recent efforts to expand early exposure to otolaryngology (OHNS). This study examines how first exposure and decisions to pursue otolaryngology differ by sex and socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was emailed to otolaryngology student interest groups, residency programs, and departments (n = 152 to date). Medical student, resident, and attending physician participants rated factors influencing pursuit on a 5-point Likert scale (5 = very encouraging). Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Pearson’s chi-square, and multivariable ordinal regression for factors linked to early interest were used with a focus on sex and self-reported family SES (lower to middle class (LM) or middle upper to upper class (MU)).

Results: The cohort was mostly female (51%) and White (45%) with balanced SES (LM: 47%, MU: 53%). While there was no significant difference in first interest and exposure to OHNS, male students had higher first exposure during rotations (64% vs 47%, p = 0.03). Childhood exposure was higher in the MU group (14%) compared to LM (1.4%, p = 0.01); there were no differences in timing of first interest. Male students rated shadowing higher (mean = 4.52 ± SD = 0.6) than female students (4.24 ± 0.84; p = 0.04), while female students found academic requirements more discouraging for pursuit of OHNS (2.72 ± 0.92 vs 3.18 ± 1.03; p = 0.01). Faculty mentorship was more encouraging for male students (4.70 ± 0.63 vs 4.38 ± 0.83; p = 0.01). There was no difference in factors by SES. In the multivariable ordinal regression, SES and sex were not associated with early or delayed onset of interest.

Conclusions: Females encountered greater academic discouragement and decreased benefit from mentorship, highlighting the need for targeted support and mentorship programs. The absence of significant SES disparities in the timing of OHNS interest is encouraging, indicating effective current efforts. Nonetheless, continued progress in increasing early exposure and support for low SES and female-identifying students is crucial to fostering long-term aspiration and diversity in the field.

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Oluwatobiloba O. Ayo-Ajibola, BS

    Medical Student
    Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
    Los Angeles, CA, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • WZ

    William L. Zeng, BS

    Medical Student
    Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
    Los Angeles, CA, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  • Tyler J. Gallagher, BS, BA

    Medical Student
    Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
    Monterey Park, California, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  • ML

    Matthew E. Lin, MD

    Resident Physician
    Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
    Los Angeles, California, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • Neil N. Luu, MD

    Resident Physician
    Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
    Los Angeles, CA, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Senior Author(s)

  • Tamara N. Chambers, MD

    Associate Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
    Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
    Los Angeles, CA, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.