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Graduate Education Trends in the Anatomical Sciences: Are anatomy PhDs nearing extinction or adapting to change?
Author(s) -
Kaza Niroop,
Wilson Adam B.,
Singpurwala Darius J.,
Brooks William S.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.04615
Subject(s) - economic shortage , curriculum , cornerstone , medical education , census , anatomy , medicine , psychology , geography , population , pedagogy , government (linguistics) , linguistics , philosophy , environmental health , archaeology
Human anatomy is the cornerstone of health sciences education, yet literature over the past 50 years has demonstrated a severe and continued shortage of anatomy educators. Many have postulated that the factors responsible for the dwindling numbers of anatomists are multiple. Aim This study (1) assessed trends in doctorates awarded in anatomy and related fields within the U.S. over the past 48 years and (2) evaluated the modern graduate education‐training paradigm in the anatomical sciences. Methods Retrospective data relative to the anatomical sciences were compiled from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), an annual census of research doctorates within the U.S. The number of doctorates in anatomy and related fields and the total number of doctorates by sex and race/ethnicity were plotted for trend analysis. Additionally, the number of currently active PhD anatomy training programs within U.S. allopathic & osteopathic medical schools were assessed. Curricula and major characteristics of each active program where evaluated through website searches and phone interviews with program directors. The IRB at UAB did not qualify this study as human subjects research. Results Since 1969, the number of PhDs awarded in Anatomy has declined, on average, by 3.3 graduates per year (Max = 163, 1982; Min = 9, 2017). Conversely, doctorates in Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, and Neuroscience have observed marked growth over the past 40 years at rates of 8.0, 4.3, and 31.3 graduates per year, respectively. Males have historically dominated the anatomical fields, but more females received doctorates than males from 2009–2016. The proportion of PhDs in the anatomical sciences awarded to underrepresented minorities (URMs) has steadily increased with an all‐time high of 11.1% in 2015, but still lags behind Science & Engineering (14.1%). The proportion of graduates entering employment directly after graduation declined from a high of 55% in 1969 to the current rate of 21% and is inversely proportional to the number of graduates entering additional training positions, which is 78% currently. As of August 2019, 21 active doctoral programs in anatomy were identified from among 187 institutions affiliated with a medical school. PhD programs were categorized as either Anatomy Education (N=8), Classic Anatomy (N=8), or Anthropology/Evolutionary Anatomy (N=5) programs based on coursework in anatomical science disciplines and education/teaching‐based curricula. Discussion & Conclusion Declining numbers of anatomy PhD graduates and misalignment between training expectations and job market needs has contributed significantly to the shortage of anatomists. A concerted effort by all stakeholders to increase the diversity and number of anatomy educators is necessary to ensure the future health of the profession.