Clinician Investigator Trainee Research Articles

Scientific overview: CSCI-CITAC Annual General Meeting and Young Investigator's Forum 2013.

The 2013 joint Canadian Society of Clinician Investigators (CSCI)-Clinical Investigator Trainee Association of Canada/Association des cliniciens-chercheurs en formation du Canada (CITAC/ACCFC) annual general meeting(AGM) was held in Ottawa, September 2013. The symposium focused on "Applications of the 'omics' to Clinical Practice", with presentations from Drs. William T. Gibson (University of British Columbia), Julie Ho (University of Manitoba) and David Hwang (University of Toronto), discussing topics of genome, proteome and the microbiome, respectively. Other highlights from the 2013 AGM include presentations by Dr. Salim Yusuf (McMaster University, 2013 CSCI-RCPSC Henry Friesen Award winner), Dr. Gary Lewis (University of Toronto, 2013 CSCI Distinguished Scientist Award winner) and Dr. Michael Taylor (University of Toronto, 2013 Joe Doupe Award winner). The CSCI/CITAC/Friends of CIHR Joint Symposium consisted of presentations from Drs. John Bell (University of Ottawa), Dan Drucker (University of Toronto) and Heather J. Dean (University of Manitoba). Finally, the meeting ended with the presentation "The Power of an Idea to Bring Ideas to Power" by Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg (President, U.S. Institute of Medicine), the winner of the 2013 Henry Friesen International Prize. Also presented at the conference was research by clinician investigator (CI) trainees from across Canada; ie., those enrolled in MD/MSc, MD/PhD or Clinician Investigator Program(CIP) programs. Canadian trainees' research extended beyond the pillar of biomedical research, covering the spectrum between basic and clinical research, with a focus on the causes of significant morbidity and mortality for Canadians, including cancers, infectious diseases and other maladies. It is this research that we have summarized in this review.

It begins with the right supervisor: Importance of mentorship and clinician-investigator trainee satisfaction levels in Canada

Clinician Investigator Trainee Association of Canada/ Association des cliniciens-chercheurs en formation du Canada (CITAC/ACCFC) represents the interests of clinician-investigator (CI) trainees across Canada. To better advocate for the successful training of CI trainees in Canada, CITAC/ACCFC conducted a survey to assess satisfaction with their training and to find what factors were most associated with satisfaction level. A nominal scale-based psychometric survey was conducted online in 2009 on CI trainees in Canada (including MD/MSc, MD/PhD, or CIP/SSP). One hundred fifteen out of a target population of approximately 350-400 responded. Survey respondents were asked to rate their level of satisfaction in four areas: 1) quality of training, 2) financial support, 3) mentorship satisfaction and 4) program structure. Ratings in these four areas were also combined to produce a measure of overall satisfaction. At least half of the respondents were 'completely satisfied' in each of the four categories other than mentorship. While 98% of respondents considered mentorship as important to their success, 62% expressed some level of dissatisfaction with the level of mentorship received. Moreover, increased levels of mentorship were strongly associated with increased levels of overall satisfaction. The discrepancy between CI trainees' perceived importance of mentorship and the level of satisfaction in mentorship received reveals a strategic area where CI training should be improved. Recognizing that good mentorship in a CI training program often begins with one's research supervisor, the CITAC/ACCFC has compiled six specific recommendations for finding a good supervisor.

Here to stay: clinician investigator training in a changing environment.

Clinician investigators (CI) are a growing sector within the research community. Given the emphasis on patient-oriented research, the need for more physicians with the aptitude to conduct translational research has never been greater. Despite this, there is limited literature on the current Canadian CI training programs. The Clinician Investigator Trainee Association of Canada (CITAC) has a significant interest in ensuring the training of clinician instigators, at both the undergraduate and residency levels, remains adept at meeting the challenges of today's health care system. In the August issue of Clinical Investigative Medicine, Appleton et al. published the first document reporting on the data collected by CITAC on the basic demographics of Canadian CI trainees [3]. The authors captured census data from each CI training program. This collaborative and national effort is a first and crucial step in understanding the strengths and potential pitfalls of Canadian CI training programs. The data presented will be used as a reference resource to improve training programs and facilitate future research.

Scientific overview: CSCI-CITAC annual general meeting and young investigator's forum 2011

In 2011, members of the Clinician Investigator Trainee Association of Canada - Association des cliniciens-chercheurs en formation du Canada (CITAC-ACCFC) and the Canadian Society for Clinician Investigators (CSCI) held a joint Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Young Investigator Forum (YIF) September 12-14 in Ottawa, ON, Canada. The theme of the meeting was "The Role of Government and Regulatory Organizations in Shaping the Environment of the Clinician Scientist". The meeting was well attended by established clinician scientists and clinician investigator trainees from across Canada. The aim of this scientific overview is to highlight the research presented by trainees at both the oral plenary session as well as the poster presentation sessions of this meeting. This work covers a wide variety of medical disciplines, focusing on translational medicine, from the basic sciences to clinical application.

CSCI President’s Message

Dear Clinical and Investigative Medicine (CIM) readers, I write this message to solicit your help in making the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation a vital society for medicine in Canada and to inform CIM readers about the CSCI. The CSCI plays an important role in maintaining the sustainability of our health care system. The only way to improve health care for Canadians is to continually optimize our methods of treatment and to gain a better understanding of the illnesses that face our population. Systematic research in all facets of healthcare, be it the molecular mechanisms of disease, the efficacy of treatment alternatives or the functioning of the health care system is the only way to guarantee a better system for the next generation of Canadians. As the only Society in Canada with a dedicated focus on the profession of clinician-researchers and our young clinician-investigator trainees, we provide crucial support for the enterprise of clinical investigation in Canada. The CSCI’s mandate is to promote clinical and basic research in the field of human health throughout Canada, to lobby for adequate research funding at the federal, regional and local levels, and to support Canadian researchers in their endeavours and at all stages of their careers. The CSCI organizes an annual meeting that highlights research work by its members and guest lecturers that speak with authority on issues that face Clinician-Investigators in Canada. CSCI is currently in the midst of a reorganization that started several years ago and has resulted in the establishment of an independent meeting, a renewed Young Investigators Forum and establishing close ties with the Clinician Investigator Trainee Association of Canada (CITAC). Reinforcing our efforts to revitalize our organization, we recently hired a new organization, Gallaher Membership Services and together we are streamlining our Society’s operations. The new CSCI website address is www.csci-scrc.ca. The website contains vital information about the CSCI, CIM and information about becoming a member of the CSCI. Our Society’s journal, Clinical and Investigative Medicine (CIM), has also undergone a transformation and is under the leadership of Dr. Jonathan Angel of Ottawa. We are proud of the changes that have occurred at CIM and look forward to the continued success of this journal. I sincerely hope that all Clinician-Investigators in Canada, irrespective of their stage of training or career, will adopt the changes that have been made and those that will continue to be made at CSCI by joining CSCI and participating in strengthening the voice for Clinical-Investigation in Canada. Joining CSCI allows members to publish in CIM at no charge. This is a tremendous value for our members. Communication with CSCI members will continue through CIM where we will give updates announcing further developments at the CSCI. I welcome any feedback or suggestions and hope that you enjoy reading CIM as much as I do. Sincerely, Brent W. Winston, MD, FRCPC, FACP, FCCM President, CSCI

Clinician Investigator Training in Canada: A Review

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada undertook a review of its Clinician Investigator Program (CIP), 13 years after launching the program in response to shortages in clinical investigators. The primary study goals were to determine the outcomes, impact, strengths and weaknesses of CIP. Focus groups and telephone interviews with current and past program directors (PD) and a detailed survey of current and former trainees were conducted. Thirteen PD and 45% of current and former trainees from 10 CIP participated. Since 1995, 12 CIP have been accredited and 553 residents have enrolled in CIP, with 194 completing CIP and residency training by 2008. PD recognized CIP as an excellent program that produces highly qualified clinical investigators; important for faculty renewal. Both trainees and PD identified the need to improve CIP funding. Most (84%) CIP trainees did not have prior graduate degrees. Most alumni had completed Masters (58%) or Doctoral (39%) programs during CIP and published on their CIP research (97%). Among alumni who completed CIP and residency, many obtained an academic appointment with protected time for research, with 39% receiving an external career award. Many (60%) alumni reported no drawbacks to CIP and recognized the added values included Royal College recognition, structured training, pursuit of graduate studies, integration of clinical/research training and enhanced mentorship. Since the progam's inception, the number of CIP in Canada has grown. CIP are recognized as important mechanisms for integrating clinical and research training during residency to produce highly qualified clinician investigators.

Establishing a Trainee Section in the CIM

The Clinician Investigator Trainee Association of Canada – Association des cliniciens-chercheurs en formation du Canada (CITAC-ACCFC) is a national organization composed of MD+ trainees enrolled in MD/MSc, MD/PhD, and Clinician Investigator Programs (CIP) across Canada. In less than three years since its conception, CITAC-ACCFC has become an established organization with over 200 members from fifteen academic institutions. The mission of the CITAC-ACCFC is to organize and promote activities that support clinician investigator trainees in Canada, with the intention to improve academic and post-graduate career opportunities, expand institutional and public awareness of clinician investigator programs, and develop a nationally accessible information database of student and program development. The CITAC-ACCFC aims to improve the early-career conditions of clinician investigators in order to expand and advance innovative research initiatives within Canada. Throughout its development, CITAC-ACCFC has relied on the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation (CSCI) for mentorship and guidance. In an exciting development, the relationship between CITAC-ACCFC and CSCI has enabled an innovative opportunity for early career development through a new collaboration- the creation of a Trainee Section in the Clinical and Investigative Medicine (CIM) journal. As a forum through which work on diverse topics can be shared with the global community, the CIM Trainee Section will create unique opportunities for professional development. Trainees in MD+ programs represent the next generation of clinical-investigators, who will integrate cutting edge research and compassionate patient care throughout their careers. Both professions require excellent communication skills, and through the Trainee Section, MD+ trainees, their supervisors, and MD+ Program Directors, will be able to focus on mentorship, academic training, financial planning, and career development, among other topics devoted to MD+ trainees. In addition to articles highlighting the research activities of trainees, the Trainee Section will feature clinical work, review articles, first chapter of theses, book reviews, and opinion pieces. This focus of the Trainee Section will complement CIM’s current focus on original research and issues of interest to the CSCI. It is therefore fitting to establish a Trainee Section that is dedicated to addressing issues arising at an earlier stage of training. As MD+ organizations are being established globally, the Trainee Section will strive to become an international forum that focuses on MD+ training. By increasing the international readership of CIM through the CITAC website, we will aim to engage MD+ trainees, program directors, university administration, and other leaders in education, to advocate for issues of national and global relevance. As trainees will be responsible for overseeing the editorial and peer-review process of the Trainee Section, we anticipate that this will provide an avenue by which to foster stronger interactions and collaborations among trainees on our Editorial Board, junior investigators, and senior faculty, while providing critical editorial experience for board members. Our team of Editors will ensure that articles are reviewed in a fair and timely manner, respecting the need to promptly publish articles of immediate relevance. We encourage all MD+ trainees to participate in the Trainee Section editorial and/or peer-review process. Additional details can be found on our website at: http://www.citac-accfc.org/portal/ As MD+ trainees, we are optimistic about the future of both basic science and clinical research. This is an exciting time to be an MD+ trainee, and we are confident that the creation of a Trainee Section will only augment this positive experience. We strongly encourage you to publish your work in the Trainee Section and become part of an emerging global community of MD+ trainees, who are keen on tackling health issues that affect us irrespective of our geographic, cultural, or racial borders. We look forward to receiving your articles.

Scientific Overview of the CSCI-CITAC 2009 Conference

From September 21st-23rd 2009, the Clinical Investigator Trainee Association of Canada - Association des cliniciens-chercheurs en formation du Canada (CITAC-ACCFC) and the Canadian Society for Clinician Investigators (CSCI), held their annual conference in Ottawa. Participants included clinician investigators and trainees from across the country. The conference featured many excellent guest speakers including this year's recipient of the Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research, Sir John Bell. There were several forums focusing on professional development, with topics such as "sustaining the clinician investigator in Canada", "succeeding as a clinician investigator", and "collaborating internationally with MD+ trainees", alongside networking opportunities to help establish relationships with potential mentors and collaborators. Further, the CSCI-CITAC annual conference featured some of the cutting edge research that MD+ trainees throughout Canada are engaged in. Trainees presented their research either at the Young Investigators Forum poster session or at the oral plenary. This scientific overview aims to highlight some of the research presented by trainees at the annual conference. The broad themes of scientific interest included topics from both basic science and clinical research. In this article, we summarize some of the major research questions that are being investigated by clinician-investigator trainees in the following areas: neurological sciences, cell biology, medicine, immunology, obstetrics, gynecology, neonatology, orthopedics, rheumatology, and public health.

Handbook for Clinician Scientists: Tools for a Successful Academic Career (edited by Robert Bortolussi)

The “Handbook for Clinician Scientists,” edited by Dr. Robert Bortolussi with contributors from a variety of fields, is a recently released useful tool for the aspiring Clinician-Investigator trainee. It can also serve as a useful refresher for more established investigators looking to take on new dimensions in their research. Topics are sorted into four general categories or skill sets that will typically be required of a young clinician investigator at some point in their career.