The Vision Health Research Network and its commitment to the scholarly development of its trainees

Abstract

The Vision Health Research Network (VHRN) is a provincial scientific organization that aims to improve the ocular health of patients across Quebec by supporting local research endeavors in vision health. The VHRN Student Committee, composed of 288 trainees with diverse backgrounds, has demonstrated its commitment to the scholarly development of its members by providing leadership opportunities, creating networking events, increasing visibility of researchers-in-training and encouraging professional advancement through educational workshops and funding programs. In this article, we review the contributions of the VHRN Student Committee and discuss its future projects.

Challenges and opportunities for future Canadian physician-scientists: Perspectives of four experts

“…To this end, the publication by Skinnider et al provides an important cross-sectional overview of the recent national figures on MD/PhD outcomes [4], but this work will need to be continued in order to assess trends. Local survey data, such as in the work by Pietrobon et al [5], and evaluations of specific novel initiatives in physician-scientist training [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13], also serve to identify specific factors that facilitate success. Based on the frequency that the need for such data was raised by interviewees and in prior publications [1], there would be clear value in the establishment of a regularly updated and open access database on physician-scientist training and practice in Canada.…”