title: Characterization of a clinician-scientist cohort in ophthalmology: a demographic analysis of k grant awardees in ophthalmology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze ophthalmologists who are National Institutes of Health (NIH) K grant awardees to characterize clinician-scientists in ophthalmology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ophthalmologists who have received a K award from 1996 through 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  K08 and K23 grant awardees were identified through the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporter database. Information including gender, institution, educational degrees, and success in obtaining an R01 grant was analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Receipt of an R01 grant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred five ophthalmologists were identified who received K08 or K23 grants from the National Eye Institute from 1996 through 2010. Overall, 75% of these were male, although 43% of K awardees were women from 2006 through 2010. Sixty-five percent (68/105) of individuals came from ophthalmology departments that ranked in the top 20 of NIH funding in 2010. The most predominant subspecialties represented were retina (32%), cornea (22%), and glaucoma (15%). Among the K awardees, 40% (42/105) had a doctor of philosophy (PhD) degree in addition to their medical doctor degree. From 1996 through 2000, 61% (23/38) were successful in obtaining an R01 grant, whereas only 13% (5/39) from 2001 through 2005 obtained R01 grants (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gender disparities exist among K awardees in ophthalmology, but these seem to be improving over time. None of the other variables studied-gender, PhD degree, specialty, or funding tier-was associated with obtaining R01 funding. This study helps to characterize the clinician-scientist cohort in ophthalmology and to identify areas to improve the recruitment of these individuals.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
authors: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami Florida. Electronic address: dchao@med.miami.edu.
authors: Daniel L
authors: DL
authors: Chao
authors: Joyce C
authors: JC
authors: Schiffman
authors: Steven J
authors: SJ
authors: Gedde
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001363:Awards and Prizes; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000191:economics; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D009885:Ophthalmology; D012109:Research Support as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States
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