Early Career Development of Clinician-scientists in Otolaryngology and the Communication Sciences

The importance of physician-scientists in maintaining a close connection between basic research and the issues encountered in clinical practice has been widely recognized. Nevertheless, the number of physician-scientists continues to decrease, particularly in surgical subspecialties. A combination of effective mentorship and a strong foundation in research methodology and data analysis is crucial for building a successful career as a clinician-scientist. Unfortunately, for trainees and early career faculty in otolaryngology and the communication sciences the availability of such support varies widely between programs, often due to inherent differences in departmental or institutional resources. We are seeking support for the Research Symposium for Clinician-Scientist Development in Otolaryngology and the Communication Sciences. This yearly national conference will assemble promising otolaryngology residents, fellows, and early career faculty for a host of lectures, workshops, and panels that focus on keys to research success. Support is requested for 1) organization of a ‘Research Boot Camp’ that provides instruction in research methodology, study design, grantsmanship, manuscript review, and other aspects of a successful research enterprise, 2) resources for competitively awarded travel grants to promising early career otolaryngologists, and 3) support for successful otolaryngology surgeonscientists to lead workshops and panels on career development and maintaining a successful research program. This intensive experience will both motivate participants and provide them with the tools needed to achieve success in translational research. This comparatively small financial investment will pay future dividends by building the biomedical workforce in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the Communication Sciences.