Introduction: Continued advancement of medical science is dependent on the development of clinician-scientists; however, factors contributing to successful transition to research independence remain largely unknown, especially in pediatrics. We aimed to determine factors associated with submission of a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01-level award, hypothesizing that more frequent mentor contact, a greater number of clinician-scientists in the division, and fewer clinical hours would be associated with R01 submission. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM) physicians who received an NIH career development award (K award; either institutional K12, KL2 or individual K08, K23, K99/R00) between 2014-2023. Participants were asked about award, recipient, and institutional characteristics and work hours. We used multivariable generalized linear regression to identify factors associated with R01 submission among respondents who had completed or were within 1 year of completing a K award. Results: Among 122 PCCM K award recipients, 102 (83.6%) completed the survey. One-third of respondents (n=33) received an institutional K award only, 22.6% (n=23) received an individual K award only, and 45.1% (n=46) received both. Among 76 respondents who had completed or were within 1 year of completing K award funding, 53 (69.7%) had submitted an R01. Factors independently associated with higher likelihood of R01 submission were receipt of an individual K award (adjusted relative risk aRR 2.38, 95% CI 1.30-4.38) or an institutional followed by an individual K award (aRR 2.13, 95% CI 1.19-3.83) relative to institutional only; 2) conducting basic science research (aRR 1.45, 95% CI 1.11-1.89); 3) receiving an NIH Loan Repayment Program award (aRR 1.63, 95% CI 1.21-2.19); 4) having fewer other K award recipients in the PCCM division (aRR 2.33 for 0 vs 3 or more, 95% CI 1.45-3.76); and 5) working fewer night shift hours (aRR 1.89 for 1st vs 4th quartile, 95% CI 1.17-3.06). Conclusions: Among over 100 PCCM K award recipients, both individual and institutional factors were associated with R01 submission, suggesting potential targets for efforts to support the transition to independence for K award recipients and bolster growth of the pediatrician-scientist workforce.
Killien et al. (Sun,) studied this question.