Читать книгу A Guide to the Scientific Career - Группа авторов - Страница 73

A challenge for the medical profession is to preserve the future of academic researchers in the next generation of physicians in a way that is compatible with their personal lives. There is an increasing number of clinicians who would prefer to work part‐time. Hoesli et al. (2013) conducted an exploratory survey to assess predictors for an academic career in a population of physicians working full‐time or part‐time in the northwestern part of Switzerland. These Swiss physicians were evaluated to determine the individual attitudes, influences, and motivations toward working part‐time. The results of this survey suggested that the opportunity to do research on the side was the most significant factor positively influencing the physicians' decisions to work part‐time in a clinical setting.

Whether practicing medicine full‐ or part‐time, physicians have always found it challenging to balance the demands of clinical care with the time required to perform research or publish their findings. Many physicians have also found it challenging to obtain the time they need to start and maintain a research program; one hurdle being the long lag in time between beginning a research career and receiving funding. Furthermore, it can be hard to cope with the career uncertainties related to the reliance on other grants for salary support (Nathan 1998). For these reasons, many clinicians have not been attracted to a career that combined clinical work with research.

With today's growing focus on the translation of basic science discoveries into clinical practices, and the increased need for comparative effectiveness research, the demand for physician‐scientists is likely to grow – as is the demand for new ideas and programs to increase the supply of physician‐scientists. Some universities have established various types of career development programs. However, the success of these programs to substantially increase the cadre of well‐trained physician‐scientists must address the problems that commonly deter physicians who might be interested in pursuing investigative careers.