Physician‒Scientists in Italian Dermatology: Hurdles and Perspectives

Carlo Pincelli,Antonio Costanzo

doi:10.1016/j.xjidi.2021.100077

Abstract

Physicians, including dermatologists, with expertise in clinical and basic research, play a pivotal role in the advancement of medical science. Although the number of residents in dermatology has been increasing and our specialty is among the most requested in Italy, the disaffection of young dermatologists for research is a chronic and apparently irreversible trend. This commentary analyzes the reasons and suggests some ideas to counteract this alarming tendency.

Highlights

Physicians‒scientists’ essential role in biomedicine Physician‒scientists are medical doctors who have the great privilege and the opportunity to see patients and carry out basic and/or clinical research at the same time
Clinician‒scientists in dermatology are an endangered species Dermatology seems to be very attractive for medical doctors because the number of applications and actual residents has been increasing over recent decades
Dermatologists would be in the best position to enter a research career path and become physician‒scientists

Summary

Introduction

Physicians‒scientists’ essential role in biomedicine Physician‒scientists (clinician‒scientists) are medical doctors who have the great privilege and the opportunity to see patients and carry out basic and/or clinical research at the same time. Correspondence: Carlo Pincelli, Laboratory of Cutaneous Biology, Section of Dermatology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71, Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy.

Results

Conclusion