Generation of physician-scientists manpower: a follow-up study of the first 294 graduates of the Harvard-MIT Program of Health Sciences and Technology
Abelmann, W.H.; Nave, B.D.; Wilkerson, L.
Journal of Investigative Medicine the Official Publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research 45(5): 272-275
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 1081-5589 PMID: 9250000 Document Number: 480254
Background: The MD program of the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology was founded in 1970. One of its goals was the application of the academic resources of the two universities to the education of leaders in academic medicine and biomedical sciences. Methods: The first MD class was admitted in 1971. Prerequisites for admission are a strong background in quantitative sciences and demonstrated interest in research. Research and a thesis are obligatory. Enrollment in a PhD program is elective. Questionnaires were sent to 293 alumni who graduated from the MD program between 1975 and 1988, followed up by letters and telephone calls. Results: By 1988, 296 students had graduated, 207 with an MD only, 89 with NW-PhD degrees. Follow-up by questionnaires of 293 living graduates (92%), plus indirect data on 11 others, revealed that 212 (75%) held faculty appointments in 64 medical schools. Overall, 73.5% of respondents were engaged in research: 68% of MDs and 86% of MDPhDs. One hundred and four (38%) respondents spent more than 50% of their time on research: 54 (29%) of MDs and 50 (60%) of MD-PhDs. Seventy-five percent of respondents were active in teaching. Conclusion: Our experience indicates that both an MDPhD program and a research-oriented MD program are effective in producing physician-scientists and leaders in academic medicine.