Leading doctors call for action to create a new generation of medical scientists

In an article in perspective published in the August 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, a group of prominent medical scientists, including senior pharmaceutical executives and Nobel laureates, is proposing a plan to increase the number of doctors conducting research to find solutions and remedies for tomorrow.

They write: "The revitalization of the network of doctors and scientists is of paramount importance in overcoming current and future health problems."

As part of this effort, they announce the creation of a nonprofit foundation, the Physician-Scientist Support Foundation, whose mission is to create a sustainable and diverse physician-scientist workforce by supporting the development of Investigators who will make fundamental discoveries that will improve human capabilities. health.

Lead author Mukesh K. Jain, MD, Academic Head of Cleveland Medical Center's University Hospitals and Associate Dean of University Hospital Affairs at Case Western Reserve University's Faculty of Medicine, said, "Physicians and Scientists have played a leading role in biomedical research and have made a decisive contribution to medical breakthroughs, but over the last 40 years, the proportion of US physicians engaged in research has risen from a peak of 4.7% from the overall physician workforce in the 1980s to around 1.5% today.

"The need for action is now.This decrease comes at a time when we absolutely need innovations in medicine, as the population ages and communicable diseases spread faster and more widely around the world. ", did he declare.

The authors list a series of different challenges that have led to the decline of medical scientists. They offer solutions to increase the entry of medical trainees into research, reduce attrition and increase support for this career path through both institutional and national efforts. They also advocate for the creation of a national network of academic institutions engaged in supporting physician-scientists.

For their foundation, they are looking for partners sharing their sense of urgency about the reconstitution of the pool of medical scientists.

"Together, we can catalyze a new golden age by cultivating and supporting the next generation of talented medical scientists," said Dr. Jain.