Factors Influencing the Pursuit of Careers in Academic Medicine: A Survey of MD-PhD Residents in Dermatology Programs in the United States

A survey of all MD-PhD residents in dermatology in the United States was conducted to evaluate the factors important to them in making career pathway decisions. Twenty-six MD-PhDs responded to the survey representing a 90% response rate. Although essentially all entered dermatology with the intention of pursuing a career in academic medicine, 77% percent thought they would be in academic medicine 5 years post-residency. Factors explored for a negative influence on entrance into academic medicine post-residency were 1) financial concerns, 2) length of training, 3) research hiatus due to clinical training, and 4) eligibility for existing funding mechanisms.