Understanding Chinese Early-Career Neurosurgeons' Professional Identity Construction as Clinician-Researchers

Area of Science:

• Medical research
• Neurosurgery
• Professional identity

Background:

• Increasing expectation for M.D./Ph.D. professionals to balance clinical and research roles, especially in China.
• Limited understanding of how early-career Chinese neurosurgeons manage these dual responsibilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the professional identity of early-career neurosurgeons in China.
• To examine how they perceive their roles as clinicians, researchers, and academic writers.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study using dialogical self theory.
• Thematic analysis of semistructured interviews with 6 neurosurgeons.
• Focus on a tier 1 hospital in northern China.

Main Results:

• Professional identity is multidimensional, influenced by dual roles and language barriers.
• Participants experience challenges balancing clinical and research duties due to time constraints.
• Non-native English speakers face disadvantages in scientific publishing.

Conclusions:

• Early-career Chinese neurosurgeons navigate complex professional identities.
• Need for tailored mentoring and institutional support for international neurosurgeons.
• Suggests future cross-cultural research on clinician-researcher identities.