In total, 227 out of the 914 sent surveys were answered, leading to a response rate of 24.8% (see Fig. 1). Most respondents were employed as oral and maxillofacial surgeon (65.2%), while they represent working locations from 40 different countries (see Table 1).

Flowchart of the study procedures. BJOMS British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, JOMS Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, JCMS Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, IJOMS International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Before the survey, 81.1% was aware of the ICMJE-guidelines, while 56.3% was aware of the issue of HA. Regarding the publication surveyed, the order of authorship was mostly decided by authors as a group (40.1%), followed by the first author (29.1%) and senior author (22.5%) deciding. The order of authors was mostly determined by the amount each contributed (42.9%).

Overall, the proportion of self-perceived HA was 15.5%, which ranges from 5.5 to 21.3% among the journals surveyed, while the proportion ICMJE-defined HA was 49.8% ranging from 41.0% to 57.6%. Continent of employment and the journal surveyed were not associated with HA.

Figure 2 gives an overview of opinions on authorship issues. Most respondents (strongly) agreed (68.3%) that journals asking for “a statement of contribution” before submitting a work, does not prevent HA.

Opinions on authorship issues