Interdisciplinary Training of Future Physician Scientists

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Project Summary/Abstract. (30 lines) Our mission within the UA COM-T, MD-PhD Program is to develop a diverse pool of highly trained physician- scientists who have the aptitude to utilize clinical experience in developing biomedical hypotheses that integrate the research skills learned in our program. We intend to have all trainees independent, productive and rewarding physician-scientist careers. This program has established 6 objectives that include; 1) dual- degree completion rates at >97% with an appropriate time-to-degree (7.3 yrs on avg.), 2) the integration of research and clinical activities, 3) nurture a broad understanding of biomedical disciplines, 4) foster and encourage the development of good scientific premise, rigorous-research design, strong experimental methods with reproducibility/validation, as well as skills to analyze and interpret results/outcomes amid ethics and integrity, 5) build proficiency in initiating, conducting, interpreting, and presenting rigorous and reproducible biomedical research with increasing self-direction, while strengthen skills to teach and communicate, and 6) fortify diversity while advancing the knowledge, professional skills, and experiences required to identify and transition into productive careers in the biomedical research workforce that utilize the dual-degree training. UACOM-T MD-PhD Program offers a wide range of biomedical disciplines for trainees with 13 graduate programs available and over 60 faculty trained and excited to be mentors. Our rationale for an NIH-MSTP is the desperate need for the increase in Physician-Scientists in the state of AZ; a population that is rapidly growing and aging with multiple medical and research needs. AZ is the fourth most populous state for Hispanics and has the third largest Native American population in the US. UArizona is designated as both a Hispanic and American Indian/Alaska Native Serving Institution. UArizona has a strong understanding of the concerns of diverse individuals with behavioral health needs, excels in cultural competency, and has long recognized its unique mission and obligation to serve all of the diverse peoples and communities. UArizona has more than doubled its enrollment of URMs in the last 10 years, comprising 20% of all graduate students, placing UArizona at the top of all Research I, AAU-member institutions. Hence, the UA COM-T is a perfect institution to serve and uphold the goals and intentions of the MSTP by increasing the number of URMs as physician scientist. The current MD-PhD program has been funded entirely by support from the institution resulting in a small but overall very successful cohort of physician scientists with past trainees in academic positions at Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, Baylor, OHSU, Scrips, etc. Our program has established a comprehensive 7-year training plan that reduces unnecessary redundancies, utilizes evidence based medicine training, integrates clinical and research over all 7 years while creating and encouraging an inclusive climate.