Economic, family, and length-of-training issues that influence the selection of a clinician-scientist career path in otolaryngology.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the reasons for the decrease in clinician-scientists in otolaryngology.


METHODS
An anonymous survey was prepared that questioned career preparation and personal demographics as well as motive for having done research in medical school. K awardees were also asked for concerns in choosing the clinician-scientist career path and the obstacles encountered.


METHODS
A survey was conducted of the 2005 National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders otolaryngologist K-awardees and otolaryngology residents from three research-oriented U.S. medical schools.


RESULTS
Residents felt that family issues ranked as a primary concern, followed by the time factor necessary to devote to research that would detract from their family and personal life. The K-awardees' concern also appeared to be family issues; the lack of departmental support ranked second. The K-awardees expressed that protected research time, a mentor, and departmental support were important to success.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey found that although young otolaryngologists are interested in research, they are deterred by financial and family constraints and a perceived paucity of departmental support.
Harris
Jeffrey P
JP
Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA 92103-8895, USA. jpharris@ucsd.edu
Ariessohn
Melanie L
ML
D002321:Career Choice; D015510:Clinical Medicine; D003625:Data Collection; D004470:Economics, Medical; D005190:Family; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education; D012106:Research; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D014481:United States