Keys to Independence in the U.K. and Ireland.
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Funding bodies are coming to the aid of young scientists with a variety of programs aimed at helping them become independent investigators. (+info)
Views From the Trenches.
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Making the transition from postdoc to independent investigator is tough. Scientists who received prestigious fellowships or grants relate their experiences-and offer some advice. (+info)
Training of Canadian general surgeons: are they really prepared? CAGS questionnaire on surgical training.
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BACKGROUND: General surgery in Canada varies from single system subspecialty practice in large centres to multisystem broad-based practice in smaller communities. We have attempted to determine whether Canadian training programs in general surgery are appropriate for these varied practices. METHODS: A questionnaire was circulated to members of the Canadian Association of General Surgeons to collect demographic data and information about community size and patterns of practice. We also sought the source of training for general surgical subspecialties and other surgical specialties if applicable. RESULTS: Surgeons in smaller communities performed significantly more subspecialty and other specialty surgical practice than do surgeons in larger communities. Much of the training for this practice comes not from the primary fellowship but from senior colleagues in the community. Surgeons in smaller communities feel less well prepared than their colleagues in larger communities and are less likely to take additional fellowship training. CONCLUSION: These results have important implications for surgical educators and manpower planners. (+info)
Variations in adult congenital heart disease training in adult and pediatric cardiology fellowship programs.
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OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate adult congenital heart disease (CHD) training among U.S. cardiology fellowship programs. BACKGROUND: Although training recommendations for caring for adults with CHD exist, the educational patterns and numbers of specialists remain unknown. METHODS: We surveyed U.S. directors of 170 adult cardiology and 45 pediatric cardiology (PC) fellowship programs. Adult program surveys contained 1 single-response and 10 multiple-choice questions; pediatric program surveys contained 1 single-response and 13 multiple-choice questions. RESULTS: Ninety-four adult cardiology fellowship directors (55%) and 34 PC directors (76%) responded. Of adult programs, 70% were in university hospitals and 40% were associated with PC groups. Those with PC-affiliation had more adult CHD clinics (p < 0.02) and more adult CHD inpatient (p < 0.02) and outpatient (p < 0.002) visits than those without PC affiliation. Most PC programs were in children's hospitals (38%) or children's hospitals within adult hospitals (50%). Eighty-two percent had associated adult cardiology programs. Pediatric programs followed adult CHD patients in various care settings. Over one-third of adult and pediatric programs had < or = 3 lectures annually regarding adult CHD. Nine adult and 2 pediatric programs offered adult CHD fellowships, and only 31 adult and 11 pediatric fellows pursued advanced CHD training in the last 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Adult CHD didactic and clinical experiences for cardiology fellows vary widely. Few programs offer advanced CHD training, and the number of specially trained physicians is unlikely to meet projected workforce requirements. Adult cardiology programs with PC affiliation have increased CHD experience and might provide good educational models. (+info)
Survey of dental student financial assistance, 2003-04.
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The Survey of Dental Student Financial Assistance reports data collected by the American Dental Education Association on financial assistance to dental students in the academic year 2003-04. Over 90 percent of students at the fifty-one responding dental schools received financial assistance in the form of loans, grants, scholarships and/or work-study programs, with students receiving an average of 43,191 dollars per year. As tuition and fees rose 21.4 percent over the past two years, financial assistance rose 23.1 percent. Both continue to increase at a rate greater than inflation. The primary source of financial assistance was in the form of loans, accounting for nearly 90 percent of the reported financial assistance. Most of the remaining assistance was in the form of obligated or unobligated grants and scholarships, with an increasing share attributable to grants/scholarships with obligations following graduation. As the price of higher education increases, reliance on financial assistance continues to increase, and students graduate with an increasing amount of debt in real and constant dollars. (+info)
Hematology grants K08 and K23.
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The first National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant awarded to physician scientists is often a K08 or K23 award. This chapter is designed for the Hematology Fellow who is preparing for an independent faculty position in 3-5 years. The topics covered include deciding which award to apply for, advice about planning and writing the application, as well as a description of the review process and how candidates can make their application stand out. (+info)
A training module for laparoscopic urology.
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OBJECTIVES: A fellowship training model in laparoscopic urological surgery has been established for interested urologists to help them proceed from the pelvic trainer/animal laboratory environment to safe clinical practice. The objective of the model is to provide trainees with clinical experience under direct mentor supervision before embarking on independent laparoscopic urological surgery at their own base hospitals. METHODS: The fellowship model incorporates 9 fluid phases: Phase 1 to complete basic and advanced training courses. Phase 2 to practice at home or in the office using pelvic trainers. Phase 3 to proceed to an animal laboratory course. Phase 4 to visit centers of international repute to observe high-volume laparoscopic urology. Phase 5 to observe the mentor perform several major renal laparoscopic cases. Phase 6 to perform several hand-assisted renal procedures under direct mentor guidance at the mentor hospital. Phase 7 to perform several laparoscopic or retroperitoneoscopic renal procedures, or both, under direct mentor guidance at the mentor hospital. Phase 8 to mentor assisted trainees to start laparoscopic surgery at their own hospitals. Phase 9 to practice laparoscopic urology independently. RESULTS: So far, 9 trainees have participated in the fellowship. Six have reached phase 9 with independent practice, 2 others are in phase 8, and 1 is in phase 7. Skills development has been steady, with progressive acquisition of surgical dexterity and spatial orientation. CONCLUSION: This fluid fellowship model provides urologists with clinically applicable teaching experience to learn a relatively new surgical concept safely and effectively, thereby promoting clinical governance. It may be possible for other centers to establish similar fluid "mini" fellowships to help disseminate laparoscopic surgical skills. (+info)
Demonstrating excellence in practice-based research for public health.
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This document explores the opportunity for scholarship to enhance the evidence base for academic public health practice and practice-based research. Demonstrating Excellence in Practice-Based Research for Public Health defines practice-based research; describes its various approaches, models, and methods; explores ways to overcome its challenges; and recommends actions for its stakeholders in both academic and practice communities. It is hoped that this document will lead to new partnership opportunities between public health researchers and public health practitioners to strengthen the infrastructure of public health and add new dimensions to the science of public health practice. Demonstrating Excellence in Practice-Based Research for Public Health is intended for those who produce, participate in, and use practice-based research. This includes academic researchers and educators, public health administrators and field staff, clinical health professionals, community-based organizations and professionals, and interested members of the public. (+info)