FACTORS INFLUENCING THE INTERESTS, CAREER PATHS, AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES OF RECENT GRADUATES FROM AN ACADEMIC, PEDIATRIC RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Objective. This study was undertaken to characterize the professional activity of a cohort of young pediatricians who completed an academica lly oriented residency program, to analyze factors which influenced th eir interests, career choices, and research activity, and to understan d what steps might be effective in attracting more young physicians in to academic and research career paths. Method. We studied by questionn aire a cohort of 150 pediatric residents from the Children's Hospital in Boston who completed residency training between 1976 and 1981. Resu lts. Questionnaires were returned by 117 (78%) of 150 individuals. Of these, 73% were in academic medicine and 37% were in clinical practice . Individuals were engaged in various activities with a mean of 47% ef fort in clinical care, 25% effort in administration and teaching, and 28% effort in basic or clinical research. The majority of respondents (71 [61%] of 117) reported at least 10% effort in all three activities . Only 9 (8%) of 117 reported no clinical activity, 8 (7%) of 117 repo rted no teaching or administrative activity, and 35 (30%) of 117 repor ted no research activity. Few individuals dedicated more than 50% of t heir time to research, and none reported a 100% commitment to research . Clinical sources provided 71% of all salary support, research grants 17%, government salaries 7%, and other sources 5%. For most responden ts, interest in clinical practice predated medical school, whereas int erest in research increased during preclinical training, particularly among those who engaged in research activities. Respondents identified previous research experience as the principle factor enhancing their decision and ability to do research. Factors that adversely influenced their decision or ability to do research included salary expectancy, funding, the perceived competitiveness of academic life, administrativ e duties, and family responsibilities. Conclusions. Efforts to encoura ge more young physicians to enter academic careers should focus on pro viding research experience during preclinical training and providing l ong-term support for research which enables physician scientists to ma intain their interest and involvement in clinical medicine.