Time to research Australian physician-researchers

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Physician-Scientist Training
• Health Policy

Background:

• Concerns exist regarding the decline of physician-researchers in Australia.
• Limited Australian data currently addresses this trend.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the research progress of Sydney Medical School (SMS) medical practitioner PhD awardees over time.
• To assess National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) project grant success rates for physician-researchers.
• To compare physician-researcher salaries across NHMRC, university, and public hospital settings.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 303 medical practitioners awarded a University of Sydney/SMS PhD (1989-2012) and their publications.
• Assessment of NHMRC grants awarded to physicians and non-physicians (1990-2014).
• Comparison of physician salaries from NHMRC, University of Sydney, and NSW public hospitals.

Main Results:

• Clinician PhD completions at SMS increased but with a recent decline; non-medical PhDs rose significantly.
• A lower percentage of recent physician-researchers completed specialty training before their PhD.
• NHMRC grant success rates declined nationally, with fewer physician-led projects funded; salaries are lower than in public hospitals.

Conclusions:

• While more medical graduates are obtaining PhDs, often before clinical fellowships, their research activity is low.
• National NHMRC project grant success rates have significantly decreased, impacting physician-led research.
• Lower salaries and declining grant success threaten the Australian physician-researcher workforce, necessitating action to preserve medical research capacity.