The physician-scientist: looking back, looking forward

Abstract

Efforts dating back to the 1950s have ​sought to formalize educating physician-scientists, individuals trained in both science and medicine and who devote the bulk of their professional time to investigative work. The return on investment has been huge, because, as a group, these individuals have made outsized contributions to advancing human health. However, efforts at supporting the physician-scientist career path have been accompanied by repeated concerns regarding the lack of intentional support needed to sustain trainees and faculty. This Perspective reviews the history of the career path, highlighting both opportunities and challenges, and offers seven recommendations with the potential to both promote its vitally and reinvigorate its future at all its stages.