Swiss MD-PhD Association: MD-PhD Programs in the Public Discussion

MD-PhD, PhD-MD, Scientific MD, Alternatives to MD-PhD programs: Pros and Cons

Basic science and Medicine are drifiting away from each other due to the high degree of specialization of both the basic researchers and the physicians. Few physicians and biologists attempt to bridge the gap between biomedical research and clinical work. One major problem is a lack of communication and prejudice from both sides. Members of the Swiss MD-PhD association are highly interested in contributing with rational arguments to this sometimes emotionally led discussion. Our members are exposed daily to this topic. We hope to help identify the needs, wishes and fears of both sides in order to facilitate communication between the two “cultures”. The SMPA is convinced that such intellectual exchange will increase the efficiency of biomedical research and clinical work.

Here you find links to discussions published in prestigious scientific journals about the various possibilities for activities and careers of physicians doing research:

Emerging opportunities and career paths for the young physician-scientist; Nature Medicine, 2002 [1]
The other physician-scientist problem: Where have all the young girls gone?; Nature Medicine, 2002 [2]
An international solution to recruiting physician-scientists?; Nature Medicine, 2002 [3]
Training PhD researchers to translate science to clinical medicine: Closing the gap from the other side; Nature Medicine, 2002 [4]
The Biomedical Research Bottleneck; Science, 2001 [5]
A Threat to Biomedical Research; Science, 1999 [6]
Science as a Way of Life- Perplexities of a Physician-Scientist; Science 2003 [7]
Physician-Scientists--Endangered and Essential; Science, 1999 [8]
The Physician-Scientist Template; Science, 1999 [9]
Physician-Scientists at Risk; Science, 1999 [10]
Disappearing physician-scientists; Science, 1999 [11]

Medical Scientist Training Program (US MD-PhD track) : [12]

Discussion in Europe:

Laborjournal (http://www.laborjournal.de) published some articles on German MD-PhD programs and the suggestion to introduce a Dr. med. sci instead of MD-PhD. (Laborjournal, 07-08/2002, S.16, Laborjournal 10/2002, S.8)

Alternatives to the MD-PhD program:

Master of Biology/Medical Biology, formerly known as Swiss postgraduate course in Experimental Medicine or “PG-Kurs” : [13]

Examples of successful collaboration between fundamental researchers and clinicians

Lasker Prize 2003