Abstract
Purpose :
Characterization of clinician-scientists and identification of success predictors may help to develop grant policies that maintain the viability of this career pathway in ophthalmology. The current survey study analyzed responses from a cohort of clinician-scientists in ophthalmology and identified factors associated with successful research funding, income, and career satisfaction.
Methods :
A cross-sectional survey study of clinician-scientists in ophthalmology at U.S. academic institutions conducted between April 17 and May 19, 2019. Collected information include 1) demographic data, 2) amount, type, and source of startup funding, first extramural grant, and first R01-equivalent independent grant, 3) starting and current salaries, and 4) Likert-scale measures of career satisfaction. Multivariate regression analyses were used to evaluate factors associated with time to receiving R01-equivalent independent funding, salary, and career satisfaction measures.
Results :
98 clinician-scientists in ophthalmology were surveyed across different ages (mean 48±11 years), research categories, institutional types, geographic regions, and academic ranks. Median startup funding was $50-99k, and median starting salary was $150-199k. Most investigators (67%) received their first extramural award from the National Eye Institute mostly through K-award mechanisms (82%). The median time to receiving their first independent grant was 8 years, mostly through an R01 award (70%). Greater institutional startup support (P = 0.048) and earlier extramural grant success (P = 0.035) were associated with earlier independent funding. Male gender (P = 0.038) and MD degree (P = 0.039) were associated with higher current salaries, but not starting salaries. Overall career satisfaction increased with career duration (P = 0.003), but not with earlier independent funding (P = 0.533) or higher income (P = 0.403).
Conclusions :
Success in research funding by clinician-scientists in ophthalmology may be linked to institutional support and earlier acquisition of extramural grants, but does not impact academic salaries. Nevertheless, career satisfaction among clinician-scientists improves with time, with little impact from research or financial success.
This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.