@article{0920f4ae329044d59f2359352088e91d,
title = "Reflection: The Early Career Surgeon-Scientist's Pathway to Independence",
abstract = "The surgeon-scientist offers a unique perspective as one who can arguably best comprehend clinical needs, identify areas ripe for research, and translate discoveries from bench to bedside. However, the long transition from postdoc to independent investigator can prove to be quite challenging. Surgeons have long been described as having results-oriented personalities, and so the long road to independence can be fraught with frustration at times. It requires humility in seeking scientific direction and mentorship, institutional support, and ultimately extramural funding. This reflection piece examines some hallmark steps along the pathway to independence for one otolaryngology-head and neck surgeon-scientist in her early academic career.",
keywords = "early career, reflection piece, surgeon-scientist",
author = "Smith, {Stephanie Shintani}",
note = "Funding Information: Science takes funding, and funding takes time. The current research environment for academic surgeons demands that extramural funding be obtained. Research shows that surgeons are less likely to apply for career development awards and that those who do are less likely to be successful than their nonsurgical peers. 4 Awards to practicing surgeons have historically represented between 1% and 2% of the National Institutes of Health grants, 5 and there has been unprecedented volatility in federal support for research in the last 20 years. Therefore, when pursuing extramural funding, a surgeon-scientist must have a combination of confidence, perseverance, and a mind-set not dissuaded by rejection. These characteristics are typically not inherent to most surgeons, who are less tolerant of uncertainty 6 ; who stereotypically demonstrate “type A personality” characteristics of competitiveness, time urgency/impatience with unproductive time, and extreme dedication to achievement 7 ; and who are also accustomed to success. Surgery entails around 95% success, and science entails around 95% failure. Hence, surgeon-scientists must have not only the discipline and patience to propose, revise, and resubmit their ideas for funding but also the tolerance to withstand the unpredictable nature of grant funding. Funding Information: Funding source: Stephanie Shintani Smith's research is supported by a Triological Society Career Development Award. The organization had no role in the study or manuscript. ",
year = "2016",
month = jan,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1177/0194599815613058",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "154",
pages = "7--8",
journal = "Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery",
issn = "0194-5998",
publisher = "Mosby Inc.",
number = "1",
}