143
MD or MD/PhD degree. However, no more than
25% of available positions are allotted to MD/PhDs.
The PSDP encourages its fellows to pursue re-
search training in basic research laboratories. In
most instances, preference for funding is given to
candidates proposing to train outside clinical depart-
ments. Candidates who wish to train in epidemiolo-
gy, statistics, or health outcomes research are
advised to find mentors with primary appointments
in schools of public health.
Timetable for Application to the
PSPD
As shown in Fig 1, most residents will identi-
fy themselves to the nominating chair and the
PSDP office by September of the pediatrics
level PL-3 year. Pediatric residents on the fast-
track should identify themselves in September
of the PL-2 year. Chief residents or Canadian
residents should identify themselves by Sep-
tember of the PL-4 year. PSDP applications are
due to the PSDP program office by February 1
of every year. Thus, for PL-3 residents who
identify themselves by September, the applica-
tion is due the following February (six months
later). Candidates whose applications are
deemed acceptable in initial review by the
Steering Committee in March are invited to
personal interviews with the Selection Com-
mittee in May.
Accepted candidates complete the first year of
clinical fellowship at the sponsoring institution and
then begin 2 years of PSDP laboratory training. Ap-
proximately 50% to 60% of candidates are ap-
proved for a third year of PSDP training.
For more than 20 years, leading figures in the US
biomedical research community have decried the
dearth of physician-scientists.1-7 Multiple surveys
show that this trend is fueled not only by a decline
in physicians applying for their first NIH research
grant (from 838 in 1994 to 575 in 1997) but also
by a perceived loss of interest in research careers
on the part of graduating medical students (from
14% strongly interested in 1989 to 10% in 1996).7
As Leon Rosenberg wrote, “The human pipeline of
physician-scientists is emptying at the worst possi-
ble spot – the young end.”7
Faced with these realities, an assessment of
scientific needs in pediatrics was undertaken by a
task force assembled at the behest of the Associ-
ation of Medical School Pediatric Department
Chairs (AMSPDC) in 1984 and led by Fred
Battaglia of the University of Colorado.
Recognizing that the greatest need for the future
of pediatric science lay in the recruitment of young
pediatricians into academic careers with a focus in
basic science research, the AMSPDC task force col-
laborated with the National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development (NICHHD). To-
gether, these committed groups envisioned the Pe-
diatric Scientist Development Program (PSDP), a
unique, multi-institutional training program that
provides 2 to 3 years of full-time, uninterrupted
postdoctoral research experience for young pedia-
tricians who are commencing basic, translational,
or epidemiologic/outcomes research relevant to
children’s health. The goals of the program include:
(1) expanding the cadre of superbly trained pedia-
tricians conversant with cutting-edge developments
in human biology, (2) facilitating the entry of quali-
fied and talented pediatric investigators into the
basic sciences, (3) enhancing the success rate of the
training process by ensuring that fledgling scientists
find their way to the best laboratories, and (4) en-
suring career development and maximum produc-
tivity as trainees transition to junior faculty
positions in academic departments of pediatrics.
Funding for 2 to 3 years of laboratory training
derives from a consortium of federal and private
agencies including the NICHHD, the Maternal
and Child Health Bureau, the American Academy
of Pediatrics, the American Pediatric Society, the
Hospital for Sick Children Foundation, the Na-
tional Foundation March of Dimes, and St Jude
Children’s Research Hospital.
During the past 15 years, the PSDP has
trained 89 fellows; 65% are men, 35% are
women; 22% are Asian, African American, or His-
panic. Of all trainees selected for the PSDP, 93%
currently hold faculty positions in academic de-
partments of pediatrics. Table I summarizes the
present positions for PSDP graduates who en-
tered the program between 1987 and 1996.
Eligibility Requirements
Application to the PSDP is open to any pediatri-
cian of US or Canadian citizenship who is enrolled
in one of the 129 pediatric residency training pro-
grams in North America. Applicants must have an
ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL
SCHOOL PEDIATRIC
DEPARTMENT CHAIRS, INC.
Career development for physician-scientists: The model of the
Pediatric Scientist Development Program
Margaret K. Hostetter, MD
A
M
S
P
D
C
For a statement of the purpose of the AMSPDC section,
see p 615 of the May 2001 issue of The Journal.
Dr Hostetter is Professor of Pediatrics and Microbial
Pathogenesis; Chief, Section of Immunology; and Di-
rector, Yale Child Health Research Center. She has
served as program director of the Pediatric Scientist De-
velopment Program since 1996.
AMSPDC welcomes submissions in the area of
academic pediatrics; see Instructions for Authors.
The opinions expressed herein by the author(s)
do not necessarily reflect the official endorse-
ment of The Association of Medical School Pe-
diatric Department Chairs, Inc.
J Pediatr 2002;140:143-4.
Copyright © 2002, Mosby, Inc. All rights re-
served.
0022-3476/2002/$35.00 + 0 9/20/121584
doi:10.1067/mpd.2002.121584
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CTable. Summary of faculty positions for PSDP graduates
Faculty positions All years 1987-1991 1992-1996
Professor 2 2 0
Associate professor 11 9 2
Assistant professor 44 14 30
Instructor 4 1 3
Consulting or clinical faculty 4 4 0
Private practice/industry 5 4 1
All above faculty titles (subtotal) 70 34 36