[The MD-PhD program at Fukushima Medical University]

Fukushima Medical University launched an MD-PhD program in July, 2011, to foster a research-oriented mindset among medical students. This program consists of a first phase that proceeds in parallel with the regular medical school curriculum, and a second postgraduate phase. Upon completion of the first phase, the second phase is expected to take only 3 years, rather than the usual 4 required for a PhD. Moreover, students can obtain financial support from the university. Because of such attractive benefits, 19 medical students enrolled in 2011, much more than we had expected. Here we outline our program and report on a questionnaire survey taken 8 months after the program started.