Abstract
Objective: There is lack of data relating to the research interests and funding of pediatric surgeons within the United States and Canada. These data may be helpful in promoting basic and clinical research among pediatric surgeons. Methods: The American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) Outcomes and Clinical Trials Committee developed and administered an online survey via e-mail to the APSA membership to help characterize research activities and funding. The survey was available for completion during December of 2009. The survey contained 10 items with a drop-down menu for multiple choice answers and required 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Results based on research interests as well as funding sources were compiled and analyzed. Results: A total of 275 members, which comprises 27.4% of the APSA membership, completed the survey. Of the respondents, 177 (64%) described being in an academic practice, 44 (16%) in an academically associated private practice, 9 (3.3%) in a private solo practice, 17 (6.2%) in private group practice, and 3 (1%) in the military. A total of 189 (68.7%) respondents stated that they participated in formal research. Respondents also categorized their research interests, and the following were the most common subjects of study (decreasing order of frequency): appendicitis, trauma and critical care, outcomes, minimally invasive surgery, and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Of those participating in research, 64.5% stated that they have no formal financial support. Of those supported through the National Institutes of Health, funding grants achieved were as follows: R01 (n = 29), K08 (n = 9), K23 (n = 2), and U01 (n = 8). Conclusions: Research activities are common among APSA members and encompass a wide range of pediatric surgery topics. Strikingly, the overall financial support of these efforts is limited, predominantly supported by the surgeons themselves. Funded respondents attained grants through Public Health Service grants, departmental grants, or private institutions.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1983-1988 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of pediatric surgery |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 2010 |
Funding
Public Health Service (PHS) funding was received by 81 APSA members, with the majority being from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The largest number had either a K-award (n = 12) or R01 (n = 29) awards. K-awards, or training grants, consisted of K08, K12, and K23 grants. Smaller numbers had other NIH awards including 3 with R21 grants and another 9 with collaborative or program project grants (U01 and P50). There were 3 recipients of R03 grants, 1 recipient of R41/42, and 1 with R43/44. Almost 50% of these awards were for a 5-year period. Award sizes varied widely. A breakdown of the various ranges of these awards is shown in . lists the specific federal agencies and institutes that have awarded grants to the survey respondents. lists the potential federal funding agencies and institutes. Fig. 1 A Table 2 Table 3 Fig. 1 shows the NIH funding level for the 57 respondents. For PHS awards, 31 (58%) responders had 1 submission before receiving the grant, 17 (32%) resubmitted once, 4 (8%) resubmitted twice, and 1 (2%) resubmitted more than 4 times before receiving the grant. 2.3.2
Keywords
- Funding survey
- Outcomes committee
- Pediatric surgery
- Research survey
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health