The Clinician Scientist: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, A Story Told and Recommendations from Canadian Researchers [ HTML | PDF (348 KB) | Help ]
This discussion paper was prepared in direct response to concerns related to the significant decline in the strength of the clinician-scientist fabric in Canada. It presents the ideas and experience of scientists, thought leaders and organizations from across the country and the United States, and reflects a host of very thoughtful views about the nature of the challenges and suggestions for strategic reversal of adverse trends for clinician-scientists. The paper covers certain key definitions, outlines certain training models, incorporates international experience, considers real or potential impediments to clinical research, and the crucial nature of a coalition approach among organizations and agencies and the researchers themselves in order to take meaningful steps forward.
This report offers recommendations about improvements to CIHR programs as well as the need for new programs to create and appropriately fund stable career paths for clinician-researchers. It also recommends improved infrastructure for clinical research (specifically the creation of clinical health research centres). This document is a roadmap for the development of an integrated, globally competitive Canadian Program in Clinical Research. For more information on this document and its authors, visit the Multi-Stakeholder (MUST) Taskforce on Clinical Research webpage.
