Characteristics and opinions of MD-PhD students and graduates from different European countries: a study from the European MD-PhD Association

BACKGROUND MD-PhD programmes throughout the world provide a platform for medical trainees to commit to a physician-scientist career, qualifying with both a medical degree (MD or equivalent) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). However, there are limited studies assessing the characteristics o...

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Main Authors: André dos Santos Rocha, Marc Scherlinger, Laura Ostermann, David Marc Anton Mehler, Aleksandra Nadiradze, Friederike Schulze, Laurence Feldmeyer, Myrthe de Koning, Vlad T. Berbecar, Ruben Buijs, Jan David Kijlstra, Ali Jawaid
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW) 2020-04-01
Series:Swiss Medical Weekly
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Online Access:https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/2763
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author André dos Santos Rocha
Marc Scherlinger
Laura Ostermann
David Marc Anton Mehler
Aleksandra Nadiradze
Friederike Schulze
Laurence Feldmeyer
Myrthe de Koning
Vlad T. Berbecar
Ruben Buijs
Jan David Kijlstra
Ali Jawaid
author_facet André dos Santos Rocha
Marc Scherlinger
Laura Ostermann
David Marc Anton Mehler
Aleksandra Nadiradze
Friederike Schulze
Laurence Feldmeyer
Myrthe de Koning
Vlad T. Berbecar
Ruben Buijs
Jan David Kijlstra
Ali Jawaid
author_sort André dos Santos Rocha
collection DOAJ
description BACKGROUND MD-PhD programmes throughout the world provide a platform for medical trainees to commit to a physician-scientist career, qualifying with both a medical degree (MD or equivalent) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). However, there are limited studies assessing the characteristics of MD-PhD programmes in Europe and the outcomes of MD-PhD students and graduates. PURPOSE This study aims at a first country-wise exploration of characteristics, opinions, and academic outcomes of MD-PhD students and graduates in Europe. METHODS Two questionnaires were developed to assess the demographics, MD-PhD programme characteristics, opinions, future career paths and academic outcomes of European MD-PhD students and graduates. An online survey of 278 MD-PhD students and 121 MD-PhD graduates from nine and six European countries, respectively, was completed between April 2016 and December 2017. The country-wise categorical responses were then compared through chi-square analysis followed by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS Responses from 266 MD-PhD students and 117 MD-PhD graduates were considered valid. Significant country-wise differences (p <0.05) were observed for age group, resident status, clinical time allocation, duration of studies, sources of funding, publications, average impact factor of the journals in which the research was published, satisfaction with the duration of MD-PhD studies and future career choices of MD-PhD students. Responses related to self-perception about clinical and research competence and challenges faced during MD-PhD training did not show a significant country-wise difference. CONCLUSION The MD-PhD workforce in Europe is highly diverse in their demographics, programme characteristics and career paths but does not differ in opinions related to the challenges faced. The results of this study may be helpful for implementation and improvement of MD-PhD programmes.
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spelling doaj.art-22468d7205ef484e9cc4f8ae17b43ebe2022-12-22T04:42:22ZengSMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW)Swiss Medical Weekly1424-39972020-04-01150151610.4414/smw.2020.20205Characteristics and opinions of MD-PhD students and graduates from different European countries: a study from the European MD-PhD AssociationAndré dos Santos RochaMarc ScherlingerLaura OstermannDavid Marc Anton MehlerAleksandra NadiradzeFriederike SchulzeLaurence FeldmeyerMyrthe de KoningVlad T. BerbecarRuben BuijsJan David KijlstraAli Jawaid BACKGROUND MD-PhD programmes throughout the world provide a platform for medical trainees to commit to a physician-scientist career, qualifying with both a medical degree (MD or equivalent) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). However, there are limited studies assessing the characteristics of MD-PhD programmes in Europe and the outcomes of MD-PhD students and graduates. PURPOSE This study aims at a first country-wise exploration of characteristics, opinions, and academic outcomes of MD-PhD students and graduates in Europe. METHODS Two questionnaires were developed to assess the demographics, MD-PhD programme characteristics, opinions, future career paths and academic outcomes of European MD-PhD students and graduates. An online survey of 278 MD-PhD students and 121 MD-PhD graduates from nine and six European countries, respectively, was completed between April 2016 and December 2017. The country-wise categorical responses were then compared through chi-square analysis followed by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS Responses from 266 MD-PhD students and 117 MD-PhD graduates were considered valid. Significant country-wise differences (p <0.05) were observed for age group, resident status, clinical time allocation, duration of studies, sources of funding, publications, average impact factor of the journals in which the research was published, satisfaction with the duration of MD-PhD studies and future career choices of MD-PhD students. Responses related to self-perception about clinical and research competence and challenges faced during MD-PhD training did not show a significant country-wise difference. CONCLUSION The MD-PhD workforce in Europe is highly diverse in their demographics, programme characteristics and career paths but does not differ in opinions related to the challenges faced. The results of this study may be helpful for implementation and improvement of MD-PhD programmes. https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/2763MD-PhDphysician-scientisttranslationaloutcome
spellingShingle André dos Santos Rocha
Marc Scherlinger
Laura Ostermann
David Marc Anton Mehler
Aleksandra Nadiradze
Friederike Schulze
Laurence Feldmeyer
Myrthe de Koning
Vlad T. Berbecar
Ruben Buijs
Jan David Kijlstra
Ali Jawaid
Characteristics and opinions of MD-PhD students and graduates from different European countries: a study from the European MD-PhD Association
Swiss Medical Weekly
MD-PhD
physician-scientist
translational
outcome
title Characteristics and opinions of MD-PhD students and graduates from different European countries: a study from the European MD-PhD Association
title_full Characteristics and opinions of MD-PhD students and graduates from different European countries: a study from the European MD-PhD Association
title_fullStr Characteristics and opinions of MD-PhD students and graduates from different European countries: a study from the European MD-PhD Association
title_full_unstemmed Characteristics and opinions of MD-PhD students and graduates from different European countries: a study from the European MD-PhD Association
title_short Characteristics and opinions of MD-PhD students and graduates from different European countries: a study from the European MD-PhD Association
title_sort characteristics and opinions of md phd students and graduates from different european countries a study from the european md phd association
topic MD-PhD
physician-scientist
translational
outcome
url https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/2763
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