Michael A Skinnider1,2, David D W Twa1,3, Jordan W Squair1,4, Norman D Rosenblum5, Christine D Lukac6. 1. MD/PhD Training Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 2. Centre for High-Throughput Biology, UBC, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 3. Centre for Lymphoid Cancer, BC Cancer Agency (BCCA), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 4. International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 5. Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Division of Nephrology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 6. British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Abstract
CONTEXT: MD/PhD programmes provide structured paths for physician-scientist training. However, considerable proportions of graduates of these programmes do not pursue careers in research consistent with their training. OBJECTIVES: We sought to identify factors associated with sustained involvement in research after completion of all postgraduate training. METHODS: Anonymised data from a national survey of Canadian MD/PhD programme graduates who had completed all physician-scientist training (n = 70) were analysed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure the associations between characteristics of graduates and five indicators of sustained research involvement following postgraduate training: (i) protected research time in the current appointment; (ii) percentage of time dedicated to research; (iii) planned future involvement in research; (iv) role as a principal investigator on a recent funded project, and (v) receipt of funding from a federal granting agency since graduation. RESULTS: The majority of graduates were significantly involved in research on the basis of at least one outcome. Completion of a research fellowship, number of first-authored or co-authored manuscripts published during MD/PhD training, and duration of MD/PhD training were positively associated with continued research involvement. Completion of a Masters degree prior to MD/PhD training, female gender, debt greater than CAD$50 000 at completion of training, and pursuit of a clinical specialty other than internal medicine, paediatrics, neurology, pathology and the surgical specialties were negatively associated with sustained research involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Most MD/PhD programme graduates remain significantly involved in research, but this involvement often does not correspond to traditional physician-scientist roles, in which a majority of time is dedicated to research. To minimise loss of investment in physician-scientist training, MD/PhD programmes should prioritise research productivity during training and the pursuit of additional research training during residency, and policymakers should establish stable sources of funding to reduce debt among graduates. Our data suggest further study is warranted to identify interventions to reduce attrition among female MD/PhD programme graduates.
CONTEXT: MD/PhD programmes provide structured paths for physician-scientist training. However, considerable proportions of graduates of these programmes do not pursue careers in research consistent with their training. OBJECTIVES: We sought to identify factors associated with sustained involvement in research after completion of all postgraduate training. METHODS: Anonymised data from a national survey of Canadian MD/PhD programme graduates who had completed all physician-scientist training (n = 70) were analysed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure the associations between characteristics of graduates and five indicators of sustained research involvement following postgraduate training: (i) protected research time in the current appointment; (ii) percentage of time dedicated to research; (iii) planned future involvement in research; (iv) role as a principal investigator on a recent funded project, and (v) receipt of funding from a federal granting agency since graduation. RESULTS: The majority of graduates were significantly involved in research on the basis of at least one outcome. Completion of a research fellowship, number of first-authored or co-authored manuscripts published during MD/PhD training, and duration of MD/PhD training were positively associated with continued research involvement. Completion of a Masters degree prior to MD/PhD training, female gender, debt greater than CAD$50 000 at completion of training, and pursuit of a clinical specialty other than internal medicine, paediatrics, neurology, pathology and the surgical specialties were negatively associated with sustained research involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Most MD/PhD programme graduates remain significantly involved in research, but this involvement often does not correspond to traditional physician-scientist roles, in which a majority of time is dedicated to research. To minimise loss of investment in physician-scientist training, MD/PhD programmes should prioritise research productivity during training and the pursuit of additional research training during residency, and policymakers should establish stable sources of funding to reduce debt among graduates. Our data suggest further study is warranted to identify interventions to reduce attrition among female MD/PhD programme graduates.
Authors: Mark E Pepin; J Paige Souder; Alice N Weaver; Robin G Lorenz; Talene Yacoubian; Randy L Seay Journal: J Natl Med Assoc Date: 2022-02-27 Impact factor: 2.739
Authors: Belinda WC Ommering; Floris M van Blankenstein; Marjo Wijnen-Meijer; Merel van Diepen; Friedo W Dekker Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-07-23 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Cathelijn J F Waaijer; Belinda W C Ommering; Lambertus J van der Wurff; Thed N van Leeuwen; Friedo W Dekker Journal: Perspect Med Educ Date: 2019-08
Authors: Reynold A Panettieri; Jay K Kolls; Stephen Lazarus; Stephanie Corder; Andrea Harshman; Esther Langmack; Irina Petrache Journal: ATS Sch Date: 2020-06-16