Mentoring, Education, and Training CornerA Guide for Success as a Clinical Investigator
Section snippets
Mentoring
Identifying the appropriate mentoring team is essential. It is important to identify those within and outside your institution with expertise in your areas of interest and to meet or communicate with them regularly. If you are somewhat undifferentiated in your interest, it can be helpful to develop a list of areas for which your institution has particular acclaim and for which there are resources for clinical research. For example, if there is a strong health outcomes research component at your
Formal Training in Clinical Research
Once the mentoring team is in place, it is time to assemble the other critical components for success in clinical research. The next critical component is clinical research training. I list this second in priority to a mentor, because, in my opinion, it is a key component to a successful, sustainable clinical research career. Just as one would not presume to practice medicine without appropriate formal training, for example, medical school and residency, one cannot presume success in clinical
Protected Time
Once you have assembled your research team and have determined how to obtain the necessary research training, the next step is to ensure that you have the appropriate protected time to conduct your research and undertake your training. Without protected time, you will not be able to establish and support yourself as a clinical investigator. As mentioned, protected time should be negotiated as part of your recruitment package. The clinical investigator should seek 50%–75% protected time, similar
Resources
Appropriate mentorship, research training, and protected time form a critical foundation for success in clinical research. The resources to conduct the research are additional essential components. It is important to check at your institution regarding available resources, some of which might not be obvious unless you ask. These resources include blood drawing or specimen collection support, assistance with consent form preparation and approval, and a research assistant or coordinator to assist
Collaboration
Collaboration among your colleagues, another important ingredient, is extremely important if you wish to enroll their patients in your clinical studies. Moreover, their critical appraisal of your study may provide valuable input. Some methods to enhance collaboration include presenting your studies at divisional or departmental research conferences, or, if they do not exist, developing these conferences in which individuals present their studies on a regular basis. Colleagues could be listed as
Measures of Success
It is worthwhile to consider the products for success, as well. The components that have been discussed provide the means for success. It is essential to use them to develop the products for success, including publications, presentations, and extramural funding. It is these products that are necessary for promotion and a sustained career. With appropriate mentorship, training, and time, you will have the opportunity to develop projects that (with the appropriate research and statistical
Closing Thoughts
Although it would be ideal to have all of the components listed for success in clinical research at the outset of your career, it is often not possible to obtain them, at least initially. There may not be an ideal mentor at your institution, requiring you to seek mentorship elsewhere. Although this is not optimal, long distance mentorship can be effective, particularly with the use of media that allows for face-to-face meetings. Formal research training may be hard to find. One may need to be
Acknowledgment
The author wishes to thank Deborah A. Fisher, MD, MHS for her thoughtful comments.
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On mentorship
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Conflicts of interest The author discloses no conflicts.