Research & Rounds - Details, episodes & analysis

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Research & Rounds

National Academy of Medicine

Health & Fitness

Business

Science

Frequency: 1 episode/1d. Total Eps: 3

Hosted by Evan Noch, MD, PhD, Research & Rounds explores the opportunities, challenges, and decisions that shape a physician-scientist’s career. Through interviews with physician-scientists, program leaders, and funders, along with shorter episodes addressing common career questions, the podcast offers practical guidance for navigating the physician-scientist pathway. Produced by the National Academy of Medicine in collaboration with the American Physician Scientists Association and the American Junior Investigator Association as part of NAM’s Sustaining the Physician-Scientist Workforce initiative.

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🇺🇸 USA - Medicine
04/11/2026
#75

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https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-025-07144-4
1 share

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38525369/
1 share

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RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 79%

Publication history

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Choosing a Research-Track Residency

Season 1 · Episode 2

Thursday, October 29, 2026 • Duration 23:09

Choosing a research-focused residency is about more than finding the right track or acronym. It's about finding an environment where your clinical and scientific ambitions can grow together.

In this episode of Research & Rounds, host Evan Noch, MD, PhD, shares five practical questions to help medical students and future physician-scientists look beyond program promises, assess mentorship and protected research time, and find a training pathway that fits the career—and life—they want to build.

From understanding the differences between physician-scientist training programs (PSTPs) and research-intensive categorical residencies to knowing what to ask current trainees, Evan offers advice for making a more informed decision.

Press play before your next residency interview.

Quote of the Episode

“You are choosing an ecosystem, not an acronym.”

— Evan Noch, MD, PhD

Key Takeaways

Define the career you want to build. Before comparing residency programs, consider your research interests, long-term goals, specialty, and how much structure or flexibility you need. A formal research track isn't necessarily the best or only route to a successful physician-scientist career.
Understand what the pathway actually offers. PSTPs, research-in-residency programs, and other research-focused pathways vary considerably. Ask about training length, research requirements, funding, board-certification requirements, and whether fellowship opportunities are guaranteed or simply anticipated.
Find out whether research time is truly protected. A promise of protected time means little without a clear plan. Ask when research blocks occur, which clinical responsibilities continue, and who ensures that research time remains protected when clinical demands increase.
Evaluate the people and culture, not just the program's reputation. Look for accessible mentors, a supportive research community, and leadership that values physician-scientist training. Consider whether mentors understand the demands of residency and whether trainees receive the resources and flexibility they need to succeed.
Talk to trainees and look for evidence of outcomes. Ask current residents, fellows, and graduates about their experiences. Established programs should be able to describe where trainees went next, while newer pathways should demonstrate concrete commitments to funding, mentorship, and support. Remember that location, family responsibilities, finances, and quality of life also matter when choosing a sustainable career path.

Five Questions to Ask During Residency Interviews

As you evaluate residency programs, ask program leadership, current trainees, and recent graduates these questions to better understand what each pathway offers in practice.

What happens to graduates of the pathway? If this is an established pathway, can you walk me through what happened to the last two or three residents who completed it? If it is new, what time, funding, mentors, and leadership commitments are already in place, and how will trainee feedback lead to changes?
Is research time truly protected? When does protected research time occur, which clinical responsibilities continue, and what happens if service needs increase?
How does mentorship work? How are residents connected with mentors, and what support is available if the first match is not a good fit?
What are the expectations for fellowship? If residency and fellowship are linked, what is guaranteed, what is expected, and how much flexibility is there if my interests change?
What challenges do trainees actually face? What do current or recent trainees say is the hardest part of making this pathway work?

Sources & Resources

Resources for Residency Applicants

AAMC Physician-Scientist Training Program Resources — An overview of physician-scientist training pathways, including research-in-residency programs and specialty-specific options.
AAMC Physician-Scientist Training Program Webinars — Recorded discussions with program directors and trainees covering training pathways, applications, and interviews.
APSA Residency and PSTP Program Database — A searchable directory of formal PSTPs and related research pathways. Verify program details directly with individual institutions.
APSA Resources for Residents and Fellows — Career-development, networking, and professional support for physician-scientists in training.
APSA Mentorship Programs — Mentorship opportunities for trainees pursuing physician-scientist careers.
APSA Residents and Fellows Funding Database — Funding opportunities for physician-scientists during residency and fellowship.
AAMC Residency Interview Resources — Guidance to help applicants prepare for interviews and evaluate program fit.

Selected Specialty-Specific Pathways

Selected Research and Guidance Referenced in the Episode

AAMC: Training the Physician-Scientist in Internal Medicine — Explains differences in training structures and terminology.
NIH: Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) — Describes institutional expectations for research time, mentorship, funding, and training support.
Overcoming Barriers to Resident Scholarly Productivity and Research at a Large Academic Institution — Examines barriers residents encounter when pursuing research.
Emergency Medicine Residency Pathways for MD/PhD Trainees — A national study examining the availability of research pathways in emergency medicine.
Evaluating Factors Impacting Early Career Physician-Scientists' Decisions to Continue Research Careers in the United States of America — A national survey coauthored by Evan Noch examining career challenges, including balancing clinical and scientific responsibilities, work-family balance, and research funding.

Research & Rounds: The Physician-Scientist Career is produced by the National Academy of Medicine in collaboration with the American Physician Scientists Association and the American Junior Investigator Association.

Research & Rounds - Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

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Apple Podcasts

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Research & Rounds - Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other13

Springer1

PubMed1

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other13

Springer1

PubMed1