Relatively Few Clinicians in Medical Research in Australia: A Problem?

Attractions and barriers to Australian physician‐researcher careers

“…During and after their postdoctoral years, physician‐researchers typically work clinically and in research – often varying the fractions throughout their careers. Valued non‐physician scientists currently dominate the medical research field in Australia, and physician representation in the life sciences is shrinking . Our published data regarding Australian physician‐researchers demonstrate declining physician‐researcher‐led funding success on National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Project Grants since 1990 to ≈21% of all such awards in 2014 .…”

“…Due to their training and patient interactions, physician‐researchers are well placed to develop, conduct, evaluate and translate research to improve human health. Yet, in recent decades, concerns have been expressed that physician‐researchers are ‘a dying breed’ or ‘an endangered species’ . Some potential attractions and barriers for medical students and doctors to be active (or inactive) in medical research are shown in Table .…”