Fellowship training in medical toxicology: Characteristics, perceptions, and career impact

Study Objective: To determine the number of physicians who have received fe llowship training in medical toxicology and to describe fellowship-trained medical toxicologists' perceptions of fellowship training and its career im pact, Methods: All current medical toxicology fellowship directors were con tacted by mail for information on who had trained at their program. Subsequ ently, a written survey was mailed to all current American College of Medic al Toxicology members regarding work force and educational issues pertainin g to medical toxicology. Fellowship-trained toxicologists were asked about their clinical and research experiences during fellowship, and career impac t of toxicology fellowship training. Results: Fellowship directors from 21 programs reported that 147 physicians had completed a toxicology fellowship since 1970, Of the 236 current American College of Medical Toxicology memb ers surveyed, 160 (68%) responded, Ninety-four of the 160 (59%) are fellows hip trained. Sixty-four of the 94 (68%) fellowship-trained toxicologists ar e emergency medicine board certified. About half the respondents believed t hey did not have enough inpatient and outpatient experiences during fellows hip, but poison center time was more than adequate. After fellowship, 91% r emain in medical toxicology although 78% spend less than 3/4 time in toxico logy-related activities, More than 50% of respondents believed that fellows hip training impacted their career by choosing an academic career, developi ng a toxicology clinical program, and altering clinical responsibilities. C onclusions: Most fellowship-trained toxicologists only work part-time in me dical toxicology, but fellowship training has significant impact on choice of academic career and altering clinical responsibilities. Training concern s include limited bedside experiences, particularly outpatient, and uncerta in job prospects.