EM PHYSICIAN SCIENTIST TRAINING PROGRAMS: OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS COMMITTED TO CAREERS IN EM RESEARCH By Rachel Dahl, MS and Muhammad Waseem, MD
Summary
What is a physician-scientist?
PSTPs are not fellowships, rather they are noncredentialed professional programs that offer a formal organizational structure of support throughout residency for residents committed to careers in research. PSTPs are distinct from residency programs, but their timeline is integrated within and after residency to be able to support young physicianscientists at every step of their transition toward becoming an independent researcher.
Why choose to apply to a PSTP?
Emergency medicine (EM) continues its growth spurt without knowledge of what it will look like as it matures. Perhaps one example that exemplifies EM’s growth is the recent development of physician-scientist training programs (PSTPs) with an EM-focus.
This article introduces the role of physician scientists and PSTPs as well as why EM is such an exciting area for physician-scientist training. It includes perspectives comparing PSTPs to other routes to the physician-scientist track, such as research fellowships.
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Physician-scientists are physicians (MD/DO/MBBS) who are committed to incorporating a significant percentage of research time in their career. Most have had significant research experience during their overall training, evidenced by completing a PhD, MS/MSc with thesis work, or equivalent experience. Physician-scientists more often work in clinical research than in lab or bench research, and the majority work in academic hospitals. Though the percentage of time devoted to research vs. clinics can range, a recent study looking at job outcomes of MD-PhD graduates indicated that about 56% of physician-scientists who work at academic institutions spend a minimum of 50% of their work time in research. For young physicians truly committed to a career involving research and who want to establish their own lab or research group after completing residency, PSTPs are a desirable option for moving toward that path. PSTP organizational support generally offers all of the following:
