Analyze gender equity in authorship and its trend over time among publications in physiotherapy research about telehealth.
This bibliometric study analyzed randomized controlled trials indexed in the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro database) from inception to December 31, 2022. We broadly considered telehealth despite the delivery modalities (synchronous and asynchronous) or communication and information technology used, and did not restrict for population, comparators, or outcomes. Two authors performed the selection process using ASReview software and extraction by standardized form. Data collected included authors, bibliometric data, discipline field, technology modalities, and funding. We used the Web of Science (WoS) database and Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) (Leiden University, Netherlands) to help ascertain the bibliometric data indicators and assign the gender of the authors by their names. We analyzed the data descriptively for first and last-author gender with bibliometric data, subdiscipline, publication characteristics, and funding.
From 2628 identified records, 1434 potential studies, we identified 1284 (89%) first authors names and 1236 (86%) last authors names. Studies were conducted in more than 40 countries, mostly from high-income countries 1222 (95%), with national collaboration 832 (65%). Around 77% of the studies were funded and 21% were from the cardiothoracic field. The predominant information and communication technology platforms most used were telephone (24%), websites (21%) and wearable electronic devices (10%). First authorship was higher for women than for men author (64% vs 36%), mainly from high-income countries 63%. Last authorship was also higher for women than for men author (52% vs 48%), based in high income countries 47%. Women authors seem to be more collaborative and productive than men in telehealth in physiotherapy. The cumulative change over the years for women first and last author is 11% to 12% in physiotherapy research about telehealth.
There is a significant representativeness of women first authors in telehealth studies in physiotherapy. Further, almost similar representativeness in the last women author in telehealth studies in physiotherapy.
Telehealth in physiotherapy is evolving across disciplines. Equity is a "must" that should be followed up in research, mainly because advocating for equity contributes substantially to economy and research excellence. Gender equity in workforce team are more likely to produce innovative research that is more meaningful and impactful
Physical Therapy Specialty
Gender Equity
