Are Women Physicians Underrecognized for National Awards in Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine? An Observational Study.

Introduction/aims: Institutions and organizations, including the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), have committed to embracing principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Notwithstanding this commitment, studies repeatedly demonstrate that women physicians are less likely to receive awards in medicine and research compared to their male counterparts. Whether women physicians are less likely to be recognized with AANEM awards is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether there is a gender disparity in the AANEM's annual awards.

Methods: In this retrospective observational study, lists of award winners were obtained from the AANEM website. Award winners' gender was assigned by three independent reviewers based on searches of public professional websites according to established methodology. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: Of 154 physician awards from 1957 to 2023, 24 (15.6%) were awarded to women and 135 (84.4%) to men. The first woman to win an AANEM award was in 2003. As the number of award categories increased over time (from 1 pre-1994 to 9 as of 2019), so too did the proportion of women winners. From 1994 to 2003, 3.4% of AANEM awardees were women compared to 17.1% from 2004 to 2013 and 18% from 2014 to 2023. Even over time, the greatest disparities existed for the Distinguished Physician/Researcher and Lifetime Achievement awards.

Discussion: For the AANEM, there is a notable gender gap in physician awards, but this gap has narrowed over time. Further efforts to address systemic barriers contributing to this disparity are warranted.