J Korean Med Assoc.  2024 Feb;67(2):68-75. 10.5124/jkma.2024.67.2.68.

Suggestion for the training policy of physician-scientists in Korea

• Cho YW

• KMID: 2552005
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2024.67.2.68

Abstract

Background
A physician-scientist refers to a person with dual Medical Doctor (MD) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, i.e., a physician who has acquired medical knowledge and skills as well as scientific knowledge and research abilities. This study examines the background and current status of physician-scientists in Korea and suggests policy directions to foster physician-scientists suitable for Korea.
Current Concepts
With the start of the medical graduate school system in 2005, the MD-PhD dual degree program was implemented under the name of “medical scientist”. With the discontinuation of the medical graduate school system, the term “medical scientist” was replaced with “physician-scientist”. The importance of physician-scientists for the development of biomedical research and industry has been consistently emphasized. Therefore, the government has recently initiated a support policy to train physician-scientists.
Discussion and Conclusion
To successfully foster physician-scientists in Korea, the following government policy aspects should be strengthened. First, sufficient economic support should be provided so that physician-scientists could immerse themselves in biomedical research. Second, to guarantee stable employment for physician-scientists, a national research institution such as the National Institute of Health in the United States should be established. Finally, the educational programs of the medical schools should be revised to strengthen the research-related knowledge and skills of the medical students.

Keyword

Physician-scientist; Biomedical research; Policy; Republic of Korea; 의사과학자; 의생명연구; 정책; 대한민국