Faculty Collaboration Database

Growing the next generation of trauma surgeon-scientists: Reflections on 20 years of research investment. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2022 Sep 01;93(3):340-346

Date

06/03/2022

Pubmed ID

35653510

DOI

10.1097/TA.0000000000003714

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85136657414 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma mission includes fostering research and providing career development opportunities. Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma has awarded for 20 years a research scholarship to a promising young investigator. The research mentorship efforts were expanded 5 years ago with the INVEST-C Hack-a-thon. INVEST-C provides an intensive, short-term engagement to propel junior faculty toward establishing research independence. This study investigates the impact of these programs on academic productivity.

METHODS: Pubmed records, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Reporter data, and SCOPUS h-index were acquired for all scholarship (SCH) awardees from 2002 to 2021 (n = 20) and all INVEST-C (INV) participants (2017-2020, n = 19). Current type of practice, total number of funding awards, and timing of first award were ascertained. INVEST-C participants were also surveyed on an annual basis to track their progress. Medians (interquartile range [IQR]) are reported and compared (analysis of variance).

RESULTS: Median publications (PUBs) of SCH awardees were 56 (IQR, 33-88), h-index was 16 (IQR, 12-21), and 25% of awardees have ≥1 NIH grant since their SCH. Among the last 10 awardees with a minimum of 2 years from SCH, 40% have received an NIH award compared with a mean NIH funding rate of 18.5% over the same period. For those remaining in academics (90% SCH), PUBs were higher for those >5 years (66 [IQR, 51-115]) versus <5 years from their SCH (33 [22-59]; p = 0.05), but there was no difference in h-index (16 [IQR, 14-25] vs. 15 [9-19], p = NS). Comparing the most recent 5 years of SCH to INV group, there was no difference in academic productivity as measured by total PUBs (SCH, 33 [IQR, 22-59] vs. INV, 34 [IQR, 18-44]; p = 0.7) or h-index (INV, 9 [IQR, 5-14]; p = 0.1). However, no attendee held research funding before INV, but 31.6% (6 of 19 attendees) have subsequently acquired ≥1 funding award (11 non-NIH, 1 NIH) in the short interval since participation.

CONCLUSION: Investments in research activities have translated to significant extramural funding. Those in the last 5 years have been particularly fruitful with INV participants already achieving equal median academic productivity to SCH recipients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiologic; Level III.

Author List

Callcut RA, Dixon R, Smith JW, Zarzaur B, EAST Research-Scholarship Committee

Author

Jacob R. Peschman MD Assistant Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Awards and Prizes
Biomedical Research
Financing, Organized
Humans
National Institutes of Health (U.S.)
Research Personnel
Surgeons
United States