Vascular surgeons widely underrepresented in online news regarding vascular pathologies

Vascular surgeons have traditionally been under-represented in various media platforms. Our study aims to characterize vascular surgeon involvement in online news coverage as it relates to vascular pathologies. Google news was queried for news articles published between July 31, 2022, and August 1, 2023, using 11 keywords (“carotid stenosis,” “carotid artery disease,” “dialysis fistula,” “abdominal aortic aneurysm,” “aortic dissection,” “varicose vein,” “deep vein thrombosis,” “peripheral vascular disease,” “peripheral arterial disease,” “limb ischemia,” and “claudication). Unrelated articles and medical press under a paywall were excluded. Article and represented physician demographic information were collected. Representation was defined as being the author, interviewed, or involved in the review process of the news article. One thousand six hundred forty-eight news articles were screened yielding 1257 articles (76%) for analysis. Seven hundred eighty-four (62%) were classified as medical press and 473 (38%) as lay press. Four hundred fifty-seven (36%) news articles had medical professional representation. Vascular surgeons were represented in 186 news articles (14.8%) and medicine doctors in 346 news articles (27.5%). Articles regarding abdominal aortic aneurysm had the highest vascular surgeon representation (28.9%). The most common vascular surgeon involvement type was as an interviewee (67.2%). Most articles represented vascular surgeons from academic centers (80.6%), with varicose vein having the highest private practice representation (37%). Female vascular surgeons were represented in 18.3% of articles, which was proportionate to their workforce representation. Vascular surgeons are widely under-represented in online news articles regarding common vascular pathologies. Vascular surgeons should focus more efforts on promoting their expertise in news regarding peripheral disease and dialysis.