Training clinical researchers in neurology: we must do better

The pace of scientific discoveries, the increasing complexity of managing patients, and the runaway cost of neurological services have created an urgent need for a wide range of clinical research in neurology. Despite increasing recognition of this need and recent increases in funding for training clinical investigators, neurologists conducting cellular and molecular investigations are more likely to join faculties, maintain research careers, and attain academic advancement. Because academic departments of neurology are successful in producing and nurturing basic science researchers, why aren't they just as triumphant in spawning clinical investigators? This crisis in the preparation of clinical investigators has been brought about by many factors: competing time demands for clinical service, lack of methodologically rigorous training in the disciplines necessary to conduct clinical research, and lack of mentorship. Neurology residents contemplating a clinical research career may observe junior faculty who lack career guidance, are ill-prepared as independent investigators, and must juggle patient demands while trying to write a research grant or conduct a study. Already burdened by medical school debts, is it any wonder that our neurology graduates don't leap to a career with a future that seems so insecure? Academic departments of neurology must develop full-scale clinical research training programs if they are to meet the pressing need for clinical research. As a starting point, they must free themselves from their dependence on providing clinical services to generate income. Following the model which has produced successful basic researchers, much greater effort must be given to establishing rigorous methodological training in collaboration with other departments, creating senior role models, and protecting time for clinical investigators to conduct research. Unless we create incentives to careers in clinical research, we will never answer the growing number of clinical research questions we face today.