Creation and Retention of the Next Generation of Physician-Scientists for Child Health Research Physician-Scientists for Child Health Research

Cornfield DN, Lane R, Abman SH. — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Academic pediatrics is motivated by a vision wherein the children of tomorrow are healthier than those of today. The physician-scientist is uniquely well positioned to create and translate discoveries into care. Over the last 30 years, proportionately fewer physician-scientists capable of sustaining a research program have committed to a hypothesis-driven research career focused on child-health issues. Since the 1980s, the percentage of physicians dedicating significant components of a professional life to research has declined from approximately 5% to 1.5%. Pediatrics may be more affected than other medical specialties. Despite more trainees, the population of physician-scientists is aging and the absolute number is declining. In 1980, 25% of research program grants were awarded to physicians older than 50 years, compared with 50% at present. The implications of these trends are substantial.

JAMA: Academic Medical Centers Topic Collection

Creation and Retention of the Next Generation of Physician-Scientists for Child Health Research Physician-Scientists for Child Health Research