Gaps between college and starting an MD-PhD program are adding years to physician-scientist training time

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Physician-Scientist Training

Background:

• The average age of physician-scientists entering their careers is increasing.
• A growing trend involves candidates delaying MD-PhD program applications until after college, creating a gap year.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the rise in post-college, pre-medical school gaps for MD-PhD programs.
• To analyze the reasons for and impact of these gaps on applicants and admissions.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 3544 trainees across 73 MD-PhD programs.
• Inclusion of program director surveys (72 directors) and AAMC databases.
• Longitudinal tracking of gap prevalence from 2013 to 2020.

Main Results:

• Gap prevalence increased from 53% to 75% between 2013-2020, primarily for research.
• Gaps were common among accepted and non-accepted applicants; program directors favored candidates with gaps.
• Gaps did not shorten time to degree or demonstrably improve outcomes, despite increasing publication rates.

Conclusions:

• Current admissions practices promoting gap years may have unintended consequences.
• The perceived benefits of gap years for MD-PhD admissions are not supported by evidence of improved outcomes.
• Further evaluation is needed to understand the true value and impact of gap years in physician-scientist training.