Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42397115›Full record

ArticleeLife2026

Navigating the path: Advice to physician-scientists on choosing a clinical specialty.

Talia Swartz, Jose E Cavazos, Marshall Horwitz, Patrick J Hu, Barbara Sampson, Tiffany Scharschmidt, Ali Zarrinpar, Nicholas Mohr, David Mankoff, Jaime Chu and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in eLife, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Talia SwartzProfessor of Medicine, Senior Associate Dean for MD-PhD Education, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.ORCID 0000-0003-1572-045X
Jose E CavazosAssociate Dean and Professor of Neurology, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, United States.
Marshall HorwitzAssociate Dean for Physician-Scientist Education, Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, United States.ORCID 0000-0002-1683-1680
Patrick J HuAssociate Dean for Medical Education, Associate Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, United States.ORCID 0000-0002-5611-8062
Barbara SampsonCardiovascular Pathologist, Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York, New York, United States.
Tiffany ScharschmidtProfessor, Dermatology, Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Dermatology, UCSF, San Francisco, United States.
Ali ZarrinparProfessor of Surgery, Assistant Chair of Innovation, Associate Director of MD-PhD Training Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States.
Nicholas MohrProfessor of Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia and Critical Care, and Epidemiology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, United States.
David MankoffMatthew J. Wilson, Professor of Radiology, Vice-Chair for Research, Department of Radiology, Associate Director of Education and Training, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States.
Jaime ChuProfessor of Pediatrics, Endowed Professor of Pediatric Liver Research, the Associate Chief of the Division of Pediatric Hepatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.ORCID 0000-0002-9291-8630
Kyu Y RheeProfessor of Medicine and of Microbiology & Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, United States.
Charles W EmalaHenrik H. Bendixen Professor of Anesthesiology, Vice Chair for Research, Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, United States.
Christopher S WilliamsAssociate Dean, Physician Scientist Education and Training, Professor of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Veterans Administration Health System, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, United States.ORCID 0000-0002-1541-579X

Funding

Mentoring Patient-Oriented Research in Immune Response in TransplantationK24AI187634 · NIAID · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · PI ALI ZARRINPAR · 2025 to 2026
$251k
NIAID NIH HHS K24 AI187634
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Choosing a clinical specialty is a critical decision for physician-scientist trainees, influencing both clinical practice and research trajectory. This article provides a structured approach to specialty selection, emphasizing the importance of aligning clinical interests with long-term research goals, evaluating training pathways, and considering lifestyle implications. Physician-scientists, including MD-PhD and other dual-degree graduates, as well as MD graduates with research-intensive training, often pursue specialties with established research pathways. We outline key decision-making factors, including mentorship, clinical exposure, research commitment, and financial sustainability. Additionally, we compare research track and categorical residency pathways, detailing differences in training structure, funding opportunities, and career outcomes. The article explores the evolving role of physician-scientists across career stages, from residency through senior faculty leadership, highlighting strategies to maintain research engagement while balancing clinical responsibilities. By critically evaluating these factors and leveraging mentorship and institutional support, physician-scientists can make informed decisions that align with their aspirations, ensuring a fulfilling and impactful career in both medicine and research.

Indexed as

Career ChoicePhysiciansResearch PersonnelBiomedical ResearchHumansMentorscareermedicinephyscian scientistspecialty selection

Identifiers

PMID42397115
PMCPMC13331548

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.