Five Questions With: Dr. Paul DiSilvestro

Dr. Paul DiSilvestro is director of research at the Program in Women’s Oncology at Women & Infants Hospital.
Dr. Paul DiSilvestro is director of research at the Program in Women’s Oncology at Women & Infants Hospital.

Dr. Paul DiSilvestro is director of research at the Program in Women’s Oncology at Women & Infants Hospital. He talked with Providence Business News about a recently released article, “Gender Differences in Scholarly Productivity within Academic Gynecologic Oncology Departments,” written by several researchers associated with the hospital’s Program in Women’s Oncology. Published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, the journal of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the article reports that younger female gynecologic oncologists were found to be less productive scholastically – and less well-represented in senior academic ranks – than their male peers.

PBN: Can you describe the findings of your colleagues’ research that appeared in the article, “Gender Differences in Scholarly Productivity within Academic Gynecologic Oncology Departments”?

DISILVESTRO: The findings of the study demonstrate that a difference exists in female versus male academic faculty in gynecologic oncology in terms of academic productivity. The study results demonstrate that female faculty have a lower score in a publication metric that combines the number of publications and how often the publications are cited by other authors. This difference is mainly seen earlier in a female gynecologic oncologist’s career, with the difference disappearing with higher academic rank.

PBN: What is the significance for young gynecologic oncologists and, perhaps other medical providers, given those gender disparities?

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DISILVESTRO: The significance for younger female gynecologic oncologists starts with recognition of the difference and seeking changes in our current academic model that help to accommodate work/life balance issues that specifically affect female faculty to a greater extent than male faculty.

PBN: What impact is there on patients, both now and in the near future?

DISILVESTRO: The findings of this study relate to academic development and have no impact on patient care, now or in the future.

PBN: Do you have concerns regarding these gender disparities on a macro level and at Women & Infants; were you surprised by the findings?

DISILVESTRO: I am not surprised by the findings of this study. The gap in early academic development is well-described and is a result not only of recognition of work/life stresses that a female faculty member faces, but also a lack of strong mentorship and recognition of the issue overall. Women & Infants Hospital is an institution with many highly accomplished female academic faculty members. Although this disparity is recognized nationwide, our institution has long recognized the potential for a difference and has addressed many issues that pertain to helping with work/life balance and with retaining female academic faculty.

PBN: What changes might you suggest to equalize the research playing field and do you envision them as being “implementable”?

DISILVESTRO: Probably the greatest challenge to fixing this problem is recognition that there is one. Once it is recognized, appropriate mentorship programs and attention to work/life stresses will help overcome the disparity.

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