title: Factors that influence career progression among postdoctoral clinical academics: a scoping review of the literature.
abstract: The future of academic medicine is uncertain. Concerns regarding the future availability of qualified and willing trainee clinical academics have been raised worldwide. Of significant concern is our failure to retain postdoctoral trainee clinical academics, who are likely to be our next generation of leaders in scientific discovery.
  
  
  
  To review the literature about factors that may influence postdoctoral career progression in early career clinical academics.
  
  
  
  This study employed a scoping review method. Three reviewers separately assessed whether the articles found fit the inclusion criteria.
  
  
  
  PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar (1991-2015).
  
  
  
  The review encompassed a broad search of English language studies published anytime up to November 2015. All articles were eligible for inclusion, including research papers employing either quantitative or qualitative methods, as well as editorials and other summary articles.
  
  
  
  Data extracted from included publications were charted according to author(s), sample population, study design, key findings, country of origin and year of publication.
  
  
  
  Our review identified 6 key influences: intrinsic motivation, work-life balance, inclusiveness, work environment, mentorship and availability of funding. It also detected significant gaps within the literature about these influences.
  
  
  
  Three key steps are proposed to help support postdoctoral trainee clinical academics. These focus on ensuring that researchers feel encouraged in their workplace, involved in collaborative dialogue with key stakeholders and able to access reliable information regarding their chosen career pathway. Finally, we highlight recommendations for future research.
authors: Academic Careers Office, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University College London, London, UK.|Department of Applied Health Research, University College London, London, UK.
authors: Veronica
authors: V
authors: Ranieri
authors: Department of Applied Health Research, University College London, London, UK.
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Barratt
authors: Health Care Organisation and Management, Department of Applied Health Research, University College London, London, UK.
authors: Naomi
authors: N
authors: Fulop
authors: Faculty of Life Sciences, University College London, London, UK.|Department of Cognitive Neurology, University College London, London, UK.|Academic Careers Office, University College London, London, UK.
authors: Geraint
authors: G
authors: Rees
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D004501:Education, Medical; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000193:education
keywords: Clinical Academic Careers; Early Career Clinical Academic Progression; Early Career Clinical Academics; MEDICAL EDUCATION & TRAINING