Career development: Introduction
Despite the increased training requirements necessary to achieve credibility in both clinical and research activities for the clinician scientist of the future, there appears to be no shortage of highly motivated individuals prepared to make the commitment at either the undergraduate (MD/PhD) or postgraduate (SSP) entry level.
Moreover, the available training programs appear to be generally adequate to ensure proper preparation. However, one of the major problems identified in the career development of clinician scientists is the transition phase from trainee to independent investigator. At this point there appears to be both a real and perceived breakdown in the support system for newly trained clinician scientists. How to remedy this situation was the subject of considerable debate at the retreat. Some strongly held views are summarized in the next 2 position papers, which address: (1) time protection, (2) salary support, (3) mentoring and (4) gender issues.
