As both researchers and clinicians, physician-scientists embody a unique blend of professional roles. Nationwide, their research endeavors are rapidly expanding to encompass areas such as health services, implementation science, population health, community engagement, and health equity. Additionally, there is increasing demand for physician-scientists with expertise in data sciences, further highlighting the need to support those interested in entering the field.

The Office of Physician-Scientist Research Training assists institutional efforts to prepare future physician-scientists interested or engaged in various forms of biomedical investigation, including:

• Basic research, which establishes a scientific foundation for further research by exploring fundamental questions and providing evidence.
• Translational research, which bridges the scientific gap between basic and clinical investigations.
• Clinical research, which seeks to solve today’s healthcare challenges by exploring new treatments and diagnostic techniques

Three Paths to Becoming a Physician-Scientist

Individuals seeking to become physician-scientists have multiple educational options. The Medical Scientist Training Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai allows students to pursue a medical degree (MD) and a doctoral research degree (PhD). The MD-PhD Program curriculum provides in-depth training in biomedical research and clinical practice, preparing students to translate scientific discoveries into improved patient outcomes. Graduates of the program typically enter a residency and then a fellowship program for specialized clinical training. The fellowship years may include additional research or may be followed by postdoctoral research training.

Another pathway to becoming a physician-scientist is to include one or more research years during medical school, extending the time to the MD degree, followed by residency/fellowship with research or followed by postdoctoral research training. A third option involves completing an MD in the traditional four years, followed by residency/fellowship with research or followed by postdoctoral research training.

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai offers several research residencies—as well as research tracks within residencies—that combine clinical and research curriculums, in areas such as Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Neurology, and Psychiatry. The institution is also committed to continuing to expand postgraduate research options in the future.