Dataset Information

Characteristics and outcomes of Canadian MD/PhD program graduates: a cross-sectional survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Combined MD/PhD programs provide a structured path for physician-scientist training, but assessment of their success within Canada is limited by a lack of quantitative data. We collected outcomes data for graduates of Canadian MD/PhD programs.

Methods

We developed and implemented a Web-based survey consisting of 41 questions designed to collect outcomes data for Canadian MD/PhD program alumni from 8 Canadian universities who had graduated before September 2015. Respondents were categorized into 2 groups according to whether they had or had not completed all training.

Results

Of the 186 eligible alumni of MD/PhD programs, 139 (74.7%) completed the survey. A total of 136/138 respondents (98.6%) had completed or were currently completing residency training, and 66/80 (82%) had completed at least 1 postgraduate fellowship. Most (58 [83%]) of the 70 respondents who had completed all training were appointed as faculty at academic institutions, and 37 (53%) had been principal investigators on at least 1 recent funded project. Among the 58 respondents appointed at academic institutions, 44/57 (77%) dedicated at least 20% of their time to research, and 25/57 (44%) dedicated at least 50% to research. During their combined degree, 102/136 respondents (75.0%) published 3 or more first-author papers, and 133/136 (97.8%) matched with their first choice of specialty. The median length of physician-scientist training was 13.5 years. Most respondents graduated with debt despite having been supported by Canadian Institutes of Health Research MD/PhD studentships.

Interpretation

Most Canadian MD/PhD program alumni pursued careers consistent with their physician-scientist training, which indicates that these programs are meeting their primary objective. Nevertheless, our findings highlight that a minority of these positions are research intensive; this finding warrants further study. Our data provide a baseline for future monitoring of the output of Canadian MD/PhD programs.

SUBMITTER: Skinnider MA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5498176 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Characteristics and outcomes of Canadian MD/PhD program graduates: a cross-sectional survey.

Skinnider Michael A MA Squair Jordan W JW Twa David D W DDW Ji Jennifer X JX Kuzyk Alexandra A Wang Xin X Wang Xin X Steadman Patrick E PE Zaslavsky Kirill K Dey Ayan K AK Eisenberg Mark J MJ Gagné Ève-Reine ÈR HayGlass Kent T KT Lewis James F JF Margetts Peter J PJ Underhill D Alan DA Rosenblum Norman D ND Raymond Lynn A LA

CMAJ open 20170401 2

<h4>Background</h4>Combined MD/PhD programs provide a structured path for physician-scientist training, but assessment of their success within Canada is limited by a lack of quantitative data. We collected outcomes data for graduates of Canadian MD/PhD programs.<h4>Methods</h4>We developed and implemented a Web-based survey consisting of 41 questions designed to collect outcomes data for Canadian MD/PhD program alumni from 8 Canadian universities who had graduated before September 2015. Responde ...[more]

PMID: 28442493

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Dataset Information

Characteristics and outcomes of Canadian MD/PhD program graduates: a cross-sectional survey.

Background

Methods

Results

Interpretation

Publications

Characteristics and outcomes of Canadian MD/PhD program graduates: a cross-sectional survey.

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