H-index predicts promotion in academic radiation oncology

A recent study has found that a higher h-index is significantly associated with academic promotion among radiation oncologists.

The h-index measures the productivity and the citation impact of a researcher’s publication.

Some 554 radiation oncologists from 51 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, initially identified in 2019 (T1) and re-evaluated in 2023 (T2), were included in this study. The authors recorded academic promotion status, h-index (2019), sex, under-represented minority (URM) status, and institutional affiliation.

Associations between variables and promotion status were explored using a generalized linear mixed model, with significance defined as a p-value of <0.05.

Of the participants, 203 were women (35.7 percent) and 21 URMs (3.8 percent). Overall, 338 radiation oncologists (61 percent) were promoted between T1 and T2. The mean h-index was 12.3 (median 9), with promoted individuals having an average of 15.3 vs 10 for those who did not receive promotions.

The authors also observed a statistically significant association between a higher h-index and promotion (p<0.0001). In further analysis, neither female sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.02, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.68‒1.52; p=0.94) nor URM status (OR, 0.57, 95 percent CI, 0.19‒1.71; p=0.32) significantly correlated with promotion.

“Given limited statistical power to detect differences by demographic characteristics and ongoing underrepresentation of certain groups compared with the population, ongoing work to ensure fair access to opportunities for all remains important,” the authors said.

“Academic promotion in radiation oncology is influenced by multiple factors, including scholarly productivity and demographic characteristics,” they added.