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Why Choose a Research Career?

Why Choose a Research Career?. John Whyte, MD, PhD Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute & Thomas Jefferson University. A Research Career in the RMSTP Mold. You devote a substantial amount of time (50 – 100%) to research (Why?) You obtain external funding for much of that research (Why?)

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Why Choose a Research Career?

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  1. Why Choose a Research Career? John Whyte, MD, PhD Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute & Thomas Jefferson University

  2. A Research Career in the RMSTP Mold • You devote a substantial amount of time (50 – 100%) to research (Why?) • You obtain external funding for much of that research (Why?) • You are the “director” of much of that research (Why?)

  3. Other Models of Research Involvement • Unfunded clinical research (case series, outcomes databases…) • Small studies funded by foundations, internal sources, etc. • PI of clinical site for industry sponsored research • Collaborator on studies run by other PIs

  4. What’s Involved in an RMSTP-type Career? • Extended mentored training • Gradual transition to greater levels of independence • Lots of grant writing with far less than 100% success • Big peaks and valleys in work load

  5. Why Do It?

  6. The Altruistic Reasons • PM&R and rehabilitation research more generally have an inadequate evidence base • Many of the treatments and services we provide to patients are products more of tradition than of science • The need for high-quality rehabilitation is increasing fast due to war, aging of the population, and advances in acute medicine

  7. The Political Reasons • Medical school/university departmental “pecking order” is substantially determined by “research productivity” (extramural funding (esp. NIH), publications, inventions) • Rehab hospital prestige is substantially driven by academic visibility (“light weight” vs. “heavy weight”) • Payment for rehabilitation services is significantly linked to the presence or absence of evidence of effectiveness

  8. The Selfish Reasons • Get paid for thinking, talking, reading, writing • Be a “hot property” for academic recruitment and retention • Be a “hot property” as a collaborator with other disciplines • Have lots of paid travel opportunities • Have ego gratification as an expert in your field

  9. More Selfishness • Be captain of your own ship • Have constant intellectual stimulation • Be in control of your own work schedule • Decide who you want to work with • You can do almost anything you want, as long as you can find the money!

  10. A Personal Summary • Getting to the point of scientific independence is a lengthy and challenging process • BUT if you’re intellectually curious and disciplined, the process is not just a means to an end • The flexibility, fun, intellectual stimulation, and autonomy are well worth the effort!

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