Prospects for academically trained pediatricians in academic medicine

There is widespread concern about the commitment and ability of physicians to enter careers in academic medicine. We studied MEDLINE citations by 150 academically trained pediatricians to determine whether they remained in academic medicine and to assess the nature of their contribution. We identified 2098 citations by 122 of the 150 individuals which reflected substantive involvement in clinical and basic research. Most individuals published their first papers within three years after residency and thereafter exhibited a stable level of productivity. Individuals who published prior to completing residency were most likely to enter academic medicine and achieve a high level of productivity. These reassuring data suggest that individuals who pursue an academic track may assume the traditional role of the physician scientist, and suggest measures which may be taken to attract more physicians to academics.