Improving Adolescent and Young Adult Health — Training the Next Generation of Physician Scientists in Transdisciplinary Research

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health Vol. 46; no. 2; pp. 100 - 109
• Main Authors: Emans, S. Jean, M.D, Austin, S. Bryn, Sc.D, Goodman, Elizabeth, M.D, Orr, Donald P., M.D, Freeman, Robert, Ph.D, Stoff, David, Ph.D, Litt, Iris F., M.D, Schuster, Mark A., M.D., Ph.D, Haggerty, Robert, M.D, Granger, Robert, Ed.D, Irwin, Charles E., M.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-02-2010
• Subjects: Academic Medical Centers - organization & administration; Adolescent; Adolescent Health Services - organization & administration; Adolescent Health Services - trends; Adolescent Medicine - education; Adolescent Medicine - organization & administration; Adolescent Medicine - trends; Adolescents; Attitude of Health Personnel; Clinical Competence; Congresses as Topic; Curriculum; Doctors; Education, Medical - organization & administration; Fellowships; Fellowships and Scholarships - organization & administration; Female; Health education; Health promotion; Humans; Interdisciplinary Communication; Internship and Residency - organization & administration; Medical research; Patient Care Team - organization & administration; Patient Care Team - trends; Pediatrics; United States; Young Adult; United States
• ISSN: 1054-139X; 1879-1972
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.10.004

To address the critical shortage of physician scientists in the field of adolescent medicine, a conference of academic leaders and representatives from foundations, National Institutes of Health, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and the American Board of Pediatrics was convened to discuss training in transdisciplinary research, facilitators and barriers of successful career trajectories, models of training, and mentorship. The following eight recommendations were made to improve training and career development: incorporate more teaching and mentoring on adolescent health research in medical schools; explore opportunities and electives to enhance clinical and research training of residents in adolescent health; broaden educational goals for Adolescent Medicine fellowship research training and develop an intensive transdisciplinary research track; redesign the career pathway for the development of faculty physician scientists transitioning from fellowship to faculty positions; expand formal collaborations between Leadership Education in Adolescent Health/other Adolescent Medicine Fellowship Programs and federal, foundation, and institutional programs; develop research forums at national meetings and opportunities for critical feedback and mentoring across programs; educate Institutional Review Boards about special requirements for high quality adolescent health research; and address the trainee and faculty career development issues specific to women and minorities to enhance opportunities for academic success.