NIH-funded neonatologist physician-scientists: an exploration of equity and success

The physician-scientist workforce in pediatric subspecialties is stagnant, with few trainees choosing a research-intensive career path. Limited data are available on the physician-scientist workforce in neonatal-perinatal medicine.

We performed an anonymous national survey among NIH-funded physician-scientists in neonatal-perinatal medicine with a response rate of 53%. The survey included questions measuring funding, organizational support, personal and professional obligations, academic accomplishments, and career satisfaction.

Differences within gender identity, career stage, international medical graduate status, or underrepresented in medicine were compared. Among these groupings, we found gender identity to be the most common factor associated with significant differences. Among these, the total number of publications for women was lower at 23 versus 88 (p = 0.014) for mid-career and 70 versus 185 (p = 0.014) for late-career women compared to men. Women more commonly reported periods of time-off from their careers (43% versus 13%, p = 0.005), with childbirth being the most common reason. Most respondents reported satisfaction with their career as a physician-scientist. Greater concerns for balance between personal and professional time and increases in multiple measures of burnout were reported by women physician-scientists.

These results identify additional actions to promote entry into and success along the neonatologist physician-scientist career pathway.

This is the first paper to examine, with high granularity, the professional and personal characteristics of NIH-funded physician-scientists in neonatology. This study identifies areas where professional experiences differ from professional group recommendations and where additional equity work may benefit those along the physician-scientist career pathway. By understanding NIH-funded neonatologists' professional experiences and accomplishments, efforts to foster the success of all those following this career path can be better informed.