Creation and Retention of the Next Generation of Physician-Scientists for Child Health Research Physician-Scientists for Child Health Research

Cornfield DN, Lane R, Abman SH. — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Academic pediatrics is motivated by a vision wherein the children of tomorrow are healthier than those of today. The physician-scientist is uniquely well positioned to create and translate discoveries into care. Over the last 30 years, proportionately fewer physician-scientists capable of sustaining a research program have committed to a hypothesis-driven research career focused on child-health issues. Since the 1980s, the percentage of physicians dedicating significant components of a professional life to research has declined from approximately 5% to 1.5%. Pediatrics may be more affected than other medical specialties. Despite more trainees, the population of physician-scientists is aging and the absolute number is declining. In 1980, 25% of research program grants were awarded to physicians older than 50 years, compared with 50% at present. The implications of these trends are substantial.

The Transformation of Child Health Research Innovation, Market Failure, and the Public Good Transformation of Child Health Research

Stoll BJ, Stevenson DK, Wise PH. — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Despite a remarkable record of accomplishments, the pediatric research community faces mounting evidence that the nature and scope of current research are inadequate. The Editorial “Challenges to Excellence in Child Health Research,” by Zylke et al, casts this paradox in sharp relief by summarizing a series of articles suggesting that the quality and number of pediatric research studies lag behind research focused on adults. For measurable and sustainable gains in child health, pediatric research should be informed by the changing epidemiology of childhood illness, the need to monitor both survival and long-term outcomes, and the increasing recognition of pediatric origins of adult chronic disease and social determinants of health. Recent advances in genetics, imaging, and bioinformatics provide new venues for productive research. Moreover, the status of children in society must be elevated and the political will necessary to provide adequate financial support for research enhanced.

JAMA: Medical Education and Training Topic Collection

Creation and Retention of the Next Generation of Physician-Scientists for Child Health Research Physician-Scientists for Child Health Research

The Transformation of Child Health Research Innovation, Market Failure, and the Public Good Transformation of Child Health Research