Characteristics and opinions of MD-PhD students and graduates from different European countries: a study from the European MD-PhD Association

Abstract

BACKGROUND: MD-PhD programmes throughout the world provide a platform for medical trainees to commit to a physician-scientist career, qualifying with both a medical degree (MD or equivalent) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). However, there are limited studies assessing the characteristics of MD-PhD programmes in Europe and the outcomes of MD-PhD students and graduates. PURPOSE: This study aims at a first country-wise exploration of characteristics, opinions, and academic outcomes of MD-PhD students and graduates in Europe. METHODS: Two questionnaires were developed to assess the demographics, MD-PhD programme characteristics, opinions, future career paths and academic outcomes of European MD-PhD students and graduates. An online survey of 278 MD-PhD students and 121 MD-PhD graduates from nine and six European countries, respectively, was completed between April 2016 and December 2017. The country-wise categorical responses were then compared through chi-square analysis followed by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Responses from 266 MD-PhD students and 117 MD-PhD graduates were considered valid. Significant country-wise differences (p <0.05) were observed for age group, resident status, clinical time allocation, duration of studies, sources of funding, publications, average impact factor of the journals in which the research was published, satisfaction with the duration of MD-PhD studies and future career choices of MD-PhD students. Responses related to self-perception about clinical and research competence and challenges faced during MD-PhD training did not show a significant country-wise difference. CONCLUSION:The MD-PhD workforce in Europe is highly diverse in their demographics, programme characteristics and career paths but does not differ in opinions related to the challenges faced. The results of this study may be helpful for implementation and improvement of MD-PhD programmes.

Reflection on career choices in clinical neurosciences

“…35 In the Swiss MD-PhD program, there are only 35.1% of women among the students. 14 Although the reasons for this discrepancy are still a matter of speculation, this fact is more and more considered when promoting not only academic careers but also equality within them. 28,36 Furthermore, with a decrease in benefits associated with an academic career choice, there is a need to focus on what could be the next and new advantage of such a personal investment.…”

“…To give a more concrete example, in the Swiss MD-PhD program, which starts after completing the medical studies, less than one-third of the students are foreigners. 14 Secondly, as mentioned above, with an average of 11.6 working hours per day performed by young clinicians in Swiss medical university centers, 25 the time dedicated to acquire research skills is very limited unless stipulated within working contracts and will mostly be performed during personal time at the expense of social and family life, questioning the real benefit of such personal investment. The institutional workload is constantly increasing due to the complexity of the health care system, particularly in a university hospital.…”

“…Furthermore, a recent study showed that among the students taking part in the Swiss MD–PhD program, a significant proportion of them (35.2%) was able to publish more than six publications after completing this program. 14 Additionally, several postgraduate courses are offered by Swiss Universities in the form of a certificate of advanced studies (CAS), a diploma of advanced studies, or a master of advanced studies, enabling the development of specific skills, such as statistics, epidemiology, or public health, provided an agreement with the clinical service to remove the clinical duties several days per months to allow adequate participation.…”

“…To give a more concrete example, in the Swiss MD–PhD program, which starts after completing the medical studies, less than one-third of the students are foreigners. 14…”

Measuring student satisfaction as the first assessment of the Program of Combined Studies in Medicine, an MD/PhD-like program of the Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico

“…The structure of the PECEM is unique and contrasts that of other existing MD/PhD programs, in which students complete their basic studies in medical school, are engaged for 3 to 4 years in full-time research for their PhD thesis and then return to complete their remaining clerkship and medical studies [1,2]. Other examples are MD/PhD programs in Canada, which mostly involve pre-clerkship training, followed by graduate studies and finally clerkship training, or programs in Europe, where students have 4 years of medical training followed by 3 years of PhD studies and then 2 years of medical school; the exceptions to the characteristic European structure are programs in France and the Netherlands, which have 2 years of parallel medical preparation and research [3,4].…”