title: Does formal research training lead to academic success in otolaryngology?
abstract: To evaluate whether formalized research training is associated with higher researcher productivity, academic rank, and acquisition of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants within academic otolaryngology departments.
  
  
  
  Each of the 100 civilian otolaryngology program's departmental websites were analyzed to obtain a comprehensive list of faculty members credentials and characteristics, including academic rank, completion of a clinical fellowship, completion of a formal research fellowship, and attainment of a doctorate in philosophy (PhD) degree. We also recorded measures of scholarly impact and successful acquisition of NIH funding.
  
  
  
  A total of 1,495 academic physicians were included in our study. Of these, 14.1% had formal research training. Bivariate associations showed that formal research training was associated with a greater h-index, increased probability of acquiring NIH funding, and higher academic rank. Using a linear regression model, we found that otolaryngologists possessing a PhD had an associated h-index of 1.8 points higher, and those who completed a formal research fellowship had an h-index of 1.6 points higher. A PhD degree or completion of a research fellowship was not associated with a higher academic rank; however, a higher h-index and previous acquisition of an NIH grant were associated with a higher academic rank. The attainment of NIH funding was three times more likely for those with a formal research fellowship and 8.6 times more likely for otolaryngologists with a PhD degree.
  
  
  
  Formalized research training is associated with academic success in otolaryngology. Such dedicated research training accompanies greater scholarly impact, acquisition of NIH funding, and a higher academic rank.
  
  
  
  NA Laryngoscope, 127:E15-E21, 2017.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
authors: Michael R
authors: MR
authors: Bobian
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.
authors: Noor
authors: N
authors: Shah
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
authors: Peter F
authors: PF
authors: Svider
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.|Michigan Ear Institute, Farmington Hills, Michigan, U.S.A.
authors: Robert S
authors: RS
authors: Hong
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.|Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
authors: Mahdi A
authors: MA
authors: Shkoukani
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.|Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
authors: Adam J
authors: AJ
authors: Folbe
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.|Department of Neurological Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.|Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.|Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Neurological Institute of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.
authors: Jean Anderson
authors: JA
authors: Eloy
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education*; D002322:Career Mobility; D004526:Efficiency; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D006801:Humans; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.) / Q000191:economics; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education*; D011643:Publishing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D014481:United States
keywords: Scholarly impact; academic advancement; academic promotion; research productivity