Paediatric/congenital cardiology physician scientists—An endangered species

Abstract

Producing excellent physician scientists starts with the active discovery of talent and dedication, supported by the strong belief that physician involvement in biomedical research is essential to make fundamental discoveries that improve human health. The revolution of surgical and interventional therapy of structural heart disease has had ‘profoundly positive effects on survival and quality of life over the decades. (…) Small increments in clinical improvement will still be possible in the future, but for the most part, the potential for major advancement using these techniques has been exhausted’ (Frank Hanley, MD; Stanford). Personalized medicine, rapid genetic diagnostics, RNA and extracellular vesicle biology, epigenetics, gene editing, gene and stem cell-derived therapy are exemplary areas where specialized training for paediatric/congenital cardiology physician scientists will be increasingly needed to further advance the field. About a decade ago, a series in Circulation discussed academic career models and highlighted the major challenges facing the cardiovascular ‘clinician scientist’ (syn. physician scientist), which have not abated since. To develop the skills and expertise in both clinical congenital cardiology and basic research, the training of fellows must be focused and integrated. The current pandemic COVID-19 puts additional pressure and hurdles on fellows-in-training (FIT) and early career investigators (ECI) who aim to establish, consolidate or expand their own research group. Here, we discuss the major challenges, opportunities and necessary changes for academic institutions to sustain and recruit physician scientists in paediatric/congenital cardiology in the years to come.