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The contribution of MD–PhD training to academic orthopaedic faculties
Author(s) -
Clark John M.,
Hanel Douglas P.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1016/s0736-0266(00)00051-6
Subject(s) - internship , specialty , medical education , residency training , medicine , sample (material) , family medicine , psychology , continuing education , chemistry , chromatography
Little is known about the distribution of research‐trained physicians across the various specialties. To document the extent to which MD—PhD programs are a source of research‐trained faculty for orthopaedic departments, this study examined the specialty choices of graduates of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) from 1964 to 1994. The MSTP, a combined MD—PhD program supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, (NIGMS), produces roughly 25% of all MD—PhDs in the US. Methods . Copies of the appendices from training grant applications containing information on MSTP graduates were obtained from the NIGMS. Also, a questionnaire was mailed to 116 university‐affiliated orthopaedic surgery departments asking how many faculty were MD's, PhDs or MD—PhDs. Results . Records were obtained for all MST programs. Information on postdoctoral training and/or a current position was reported for 1615 graduates who earned both MD and PhD. Of these graduates, 277 chose non‐clinical paths. The other 1338 entered a residency or internship. Of these, 593 were still in residency training, 566 were academic faculty members and 130 were in private practice. In the records, 12 (0.9%) were listed as orthopaedic surgical residents (6) or faculty (6). At this time, all 12 have completed training, and 11 are in academic practice. Eighty‐three departments replied to the questionnaire. In that sample of 1761 faculty positions, 1478 were MDs, 217 were PhDs and 36 (2.0%) were MD‐PhDs. Conclusion . Despite robust support of MD—PhD programs, the number of dual degree recipients on orthopaedic faculties is small when compared to the relative size of the specialty. Other sources of research‐trained staff should perhaps be developed. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.