Producing physician-scientists: a survey of graduates from the Harvard--MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology.
BACKGROUND
The Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology (HST) is a flexible, preclinical curriculum, taught by members of the faculties of both Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, that stresses a rigorous, scientific, quantitative approach, small classes (usually fewer than 50 students), and student-faculty interaction. The program is aimed at students with strong backgrounds in quantitative and biological sciences who are interested in careers as physician-scientists.


METHODS
The first 234 students of the program, who graduated between 1975 and 1985, were asked to participate in a 1990 follow-up study by completing a four-page questionnaire and submitting curricula vitae and lists of publications, if available. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively.


RESULTS
Of the 234 graduates, 211 (90%) responded. Sixty-three (30%) had received both MD and PhD degrees. The graduates were twice as likely to describe their primary professional roles as academic than as clinical practice; 94 held full-time faculty positions at 50 medical schools. The 154 (73%) in research spent an average of 51% of their time on this activity. According to the 179 graduates (85%) who stated that they would choose HST again, the most frequently mentioned reasons were the quantitative approach that emphasized integration of basic science and clinical practice (49%) and the small class size (37%).


CONCLUSIONS
The HST MD curriculum, with its emphasis on basic science and research experience, has been successful in preparing carefully selected students for careers as physician-scientists, without necessarily requiring the completion of a PhD degree.
Wilkerson
L
L
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.
Abelmann
W H
WH
D002321:Career Choice; D015510:Clinical Medicine; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008404:Massachusetts; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000193:education*; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010819:Physician's Role; D011643:Publishing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012106:Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012586:Science / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce