Abstract
To pursue research, education, and health policy in one's career, broadly defined as academic medicine, is one of the most important decisions of a trainee doctor's career. Despite this, there is scant literature on which factors influence trainees' choices towards clinical work or academic research. As the MD/PhD is a relatively young training path compared to the traditional PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and MD (Doctor of Medicine) programs, it prompts the question: at the crossroads of a career, what sways the individual to select an MD, PhD, or MD/PhD program? This is a valuable question to be answered for trainees who are considering multiple career paths, for educators who want to guide undifferentiated students, and for policy makers who develop and coordinate research programs. "Intellectual stimulation" is the most consistently identified personal value which draws trainees to academic medicine. Mentorship is linked strongly to success in the field. Conversely, long training periods, a lack of autonomy, and financial considerations are deterrents from a career in academic medicine. Insight into the decision-making process is provided by recent trainees in these respective fields, as well as experienced academic clinicians.
Highlights
To pursue research, education, and health policy in one’s career, broadly defined as academic medicine, is one of the most important decisions of a trainee doctor’s career
Healthcare policy makers too must be familiar with health policy research to guide their decision-making and academic activity
Many obtain MSc or PhD degrees prior to enrolling in medical school; others enroll in a combined MD/PhD program or complete a PhD degree during residency training; others yet decide later, as independent physicians, to add an academic component to their practice
Summary
While these are only a handful of individuals’ perspectives, in aggregate they provide insight into the considerations involved in pursing academic medicine, as well as the benefits of formal research training to medical practice. Each of these trainees pursued further academic training at different times in their careers, drawn to academia by a passion for research, critical thinking, social justice and the influence this would have on their career path (Table 1). Many trainees felt that time duration and financial constraints were drawbacks of pursuing research This is extremely relevant given the recent funding changes in the Canadian Institute of Health Research for MD/PhD programs. Were financial reasons part of why you decided to be an MD vs PhD vs MD/PhD? What about length of program/time constraints? 8. (If applicable): do you have any thoughts on being female and the career decisions you have made towards or away from academia?
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