Factors Influencing a Clinician-Scientist Career Path in Otolaryngology

Objectives/Hypothesis To better understand the obstacles facing residents and K-awardee faculty in choosing a clinician-scientist career in otolaryngology. Study Design Anonymous survey. Methods An anonymous, online Qualtrics survey was sent to residents participating in T32 training grants and K-awardee junior faculty. The survey was sent to the residents with the permission of their program chair. The results of this survey were compiled and analyzed. A separate survey was sent to current K-awardees in U.S. academic programs. Both surveys were then compared to a survey published in 2008 to determine if the concerns and obstacles faced by aspiring clinician-scientists are still present. Results Residents felt that combining a research and clinical career presented many obstacles, including a lower salary, competition with PhDs for grant funding, and the lack of departmental support. Prolonging their training to include a fellowship was not a deterrent. Family/spousal issues which ranked as the primary concern previously were no longer given the same level of importance. The major concerns of K-awardees were the economic disparity of clinician-scientists with their clinical counterparts, the lack of mentors, and department support. Forty percent received their K-award after first try, 100% after two revisions, and one has received an R grant funding. Conclusions The obstacles facing clinician-scientists in otolaryngology are highlighted by this survey and require attention by our academic programs, National Institutes of Health, and specialty societies. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 2021