Physician-Scientist DevelopmentIn-Press Preview Open Access | 10.1172/jci.insight.182288
1Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
2Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States of America
Find articles by Mather, R. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar
1Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
2Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States of America
Find articles by Rowell, T. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar
1Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
2Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States of America
Find articles by Obuchowski, S. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar
1Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
2Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States of America
Find articles by Walensky, L. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar |
Published June 25, 2024 - More info
The average time-to-degree for completing a life sciences PhD in the U.S. is longer for single-degree than dual-degree trainees, supporting a perception that the PhD training of MD-PhDs is less rigorous or fulsome. To determine whether the duration and impact of graduate training is influenced by degree format, we analyzed data for the 2011–2016 graduates of three Harvard Medical School PhD programs. Linear mixed effects models were used to determine the association between degree type (MD-PhD vs. PhD) and research outcomes, including time-to-degree, time-to-thesis-defense, and publications submitted during the PhD. Although pursuing an MD-PhD was associated with a 1.5-year shorter time-to-PhD-degree, basing this calculation on the official PhD period does not account for completion of early PhD requirements, including research rotations and qualifying coursework, during the first two years of medical school. There was no association between degree format and the total number of first-authored or overall publications, although pursuing a dual degree was associated with increased impact metrics of published papers. The results highlight that despite the optically shorter PhD durations of MD-PhD graduates based on graduate program enrollment period, research training is on par with their single-degree peers, rendering MD-PhD graduates well equipped to become successful scientific investigators.