ACADEMIC PEDIATRICS IS MOTIVATED BY A VISION wherein the children of tomorrow are healthier than those of today. The physician-scientist is uniquely well positioned to create and translate discoveries into care. Over the last 30 years, proportionately fewer physician-scientists capable of sustaining a research program have committed to a hypothesis-driven research career focused on child-health issues. Since the 1980s, the percentage of physicians dedicating significant components of a professional life to research has declined from approximately 5% to 1.5%. Pediatrics may be more affected than other medical specialties. Despite more trainees, the population of physician-scientists is aging and the absolute number is declining. In 1980, 25% of research program grants were awarded to physicians older than 50 years, compared with 50% at present.1 The implications of these trends are substantial.
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