Balancing Research, Teaching, Clinical Care, and Family: Can Physician-Scientists Have it All?

Abstract

Unprecedented opportunities for research into basic biologic mechanisms, novel diagnostic approaches and therapies, population and outcomes medicine, health policy, and health services now exist, expanding the role of those who understand both patient care and research. Despite this, the total number of physician-scientists in the United States is declining and the average age of physician-scientists increasing. An important cause of the declining physician-scientist workforce is both real and perceived threats to quality of life in choosing this career path. Researchers dually trained in medicine and in the rigors of scientific research have contributed and will undoubtedly continue to contribute substantially to advancing medical care if encouraged to do so. Training programs and workplaces that address threats to quality of life and support strategies that have proven successful in inspiring talented people to pursue the physician-scientist career path are needed to produce, attract, and retain more physician-scientists.