title: Barriers to and Facilitators of a Career as a Physician-Scientist Among Rheumatologists in the US.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine perceived barriers to and facilitators of a career in rheumatology research, examine factors leading rheumatologists to leave an academic research career, and solicit ways to best support young physician-scientists.
  
  
  METHODS
  A web-based survey was conducted among the domestic American College of Rheumatology (ACR) membership from January through March 2014. Inclusion criteria were ACR membership and an available e-mail address. Non-rheumatologists were excluded. The survey assessed demographics, research participation, barriers to and facilitators of a career in research, reasons for leaving a research career (when applicable), and ways in which the ACR could support junior investigators. Content analysis was used to extract relevant themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 5,448 domestic ACR members, 502 responses were obtained (9.2% response rate). After exclusions (38 incomplete, 2 duplicates, 32 non-rheumatologists), 430 responses were analyzed. Participants included fellows, young investigators, established investigators, mentors, clinicians, and those who previously pursued a research career but have chosen a different career path. Funding and mentoring were the most highly ranked barriers and facilitators. Protection from clinical and administrative duties, institutional support, and personal characteristics such as resilience and persistence were also ranked highly. The most commonly cited reasons for leaving an academic research career were difficulty obtaining funding and lack of department or division support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to examine barriers to and facilitators of a career in rheumatology research from the perspectives of diverse groups of rheumatologists. Knowledge of such barriers and facilitators may assist in designing interventions to support investigators during vulnerable points in their career development.
authors.affiliation: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ogdie
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Ami A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: UT Southwestern Medical Center and Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
authors.forename: Una E
authors.initials: UE
authors.lastname: Makris
authors.affiliation: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: Yihui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Amanda E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
authors.forename: Alfred H J
authors.initials: AHJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Sheila T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Angeles-Han
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
authors.forename: Flavia V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Castelino
authors.affiliation: Baltimore Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Golding
authors.affiliation: Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.
authors.forename: Eyal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muscal
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: J Michelle
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kahlenberg
authors.affiliation: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: Frances K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Barg
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D035843:Biomedical Research; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires