Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric faculty: A report from nine academic institutions

Authors: O'CONNOR, TERESIA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC); CUEVAS GUAMAN, MILENKA - Baylor College Of Medicine; RANDELL, KIMBERLY - Children'S Mercy Hospital; KEENAN, HEATHER - University Of Utah; SNOWDEN, JESSICA - University Of Arkansas; MACK, JENNIFER - Boston Children'S Hospital; CAMP, ELIZABETH - Baylor College Of Medicine; PEREZ, ORIANA - Baylor College Of Medicine; CHANG, MICHAEL - University Of Texas Health Science Center; MYERS, ANGELA - Children'S Mercy Hospital; NIGROVIC, LISE - Boston Children'S Hospital; O'TOOLE, JENNIFER - University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine; REED, JENNIFER - University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine; REESE, JENNIFER - University Of Colorado; ROSENBERG, ABBY - Boston Children'S Hospital; SLATER, ANNE - University Of Washington; WOOTTON, SUSAN - University Of Texas Health Science Center; ZINIEL, SONJA - University Of Colorado; YOST, H - University Of Utah; MURRAY, KRISTY - Baylor College Of Medicine; SHEKERDEMIAN, LARA - Baylor College Of Medicine; CHUMPITAZI, CORRIE - Baylor College Of Medicine

Submitted to: Pediatric Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/14/2023
Publication Date: 2/1/2024
Citation: O'Connor, T.M., Cuevas Guaman, M., Randell, K.A., Keenan, H.T., Snowden, J., Mack, J.W., Camp, E.A., Perez, O., Chang, M.L., Myers, A.L., Nigrovic, L.E., O'Toole, J., Reed, J.L., Reese, J., Rosenberg, A.R., Slater, A.C., Wootton, S.H., Ziniel, S.I., Yost, H.J., Murray, K.O., Shekerdemian, L., Chumpitazi, C.E. 2024. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric faculty: A report from nine academic institutions. Pediatric Research. 95(3):775-784. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-023-02726-8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-023-02726-8

Interpretive Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic affected the home and work routines of many people, including those who are faculty in academic pediatric departments at medical colleges in the US. These changes had the potential to exacerbate existing academic professional disparities for career advancement and productivity due to differential effect on different groups of faculty members. This study therefore aimed to describe the impact of the pandemic on pediatric faculty's work productivity, identify groups of faculty at risk for widening inequities, and explore potential mitigation strategies for institutions to consider in the future. A cross-sectional study of faculty members at nine U.S. pediatric departments was conducted. Responses from faculty members were analyzed by demographics, academic rank, and change in home caregiving responsibility. Of 5791 pediatric faculty members who received an invitation to participate and were eligible, 1504 (26%) completed the survey. A statistical approach helped to account for the non-response bias. The majority of those who completed the survey were female (64%), over 40 years old (60%), and assistant professors (47%). Only 7% of the responding faculty identified as underrepresented in medicine (identified as Latinx/Hispanic, African American, and Native American). Overall 41% of surveyed faculty reported an increase in caregiving during the pandemic. When comparing clinical, administrative, research, and teaching activities, faculty reported worse 1-year outlook for research activities. Faculty with increased caregiving responsibilities were more likely to report concerns over delayed promotion and less likely to have a favorable outlook regarding clinical and research efforts. Participants identified preferred strategies to mitigate challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively effected pediatric faculty productivity with the greatest effects on those faculty who had an increase in caregiving responsibilities. COVID-19 was particularly disruptive to research outlook. These findings highlight the importance of mitigation strategies to minimize the long-term impacts on academic pediatric faculty's careers.

Technical Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic affected home and work routines, which may exacerbate existing academic professional disparities. Objectives were to describe the impact of the pandemic on pediatric faculty's work productivity, identify groups at risk for widening inequities, and explore mitigation strategies. A cross-sectional study of faculty members was conducted at nine U.S. pediatric departments. Responses were analyzed by demographics, academic rank, and change in home caregiving responsibility. Of 5791 pediatric faculty members eligible, 1504 (26%) completed the survey. The majority were female (64%), over 40 years old (60%), and assistant professors (47%). Only 7% faculty identified as underrepresented in medicine. Overall 41% reported an increase in caregiving during the pandemic. When comparing clinical, administrative, research, and teaching activities, faculty reported worse 1-year outlook for research activities. Faculty with increased caregiving responsibilities were more likely to report concerns over delayed promotion and less likely to have a favorable outlook regarding clinical and research efforts. Participants identified preferred strategies to mitigate challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted pediatric faculty productivity with the greatest effects on those with increased caregiving responsibilities. COVID-19 was particularly disruptive to research outlook. Mitigation strategies are needed to minimize the long-term impacts on academic pediatric careers.