The Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTPs) are dual-degree training programs that streamline the education towards both clinical (typically MD) and research doctoral degrees.[1] MSTPs are offered by some United States medical schools, who are awarded financial support from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, a branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The goal of these training programs is to produce physician scientists who can translate laboratory discoveries into effective treatments for patients.
The NIH began awarding the MSTP designation in 1964. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Northwestern University, and New York University were the original three MSTP programs that were established. As of 2024, there were 58 NIH-funded MSTP programs in the US (56 MD-PhD, 4 DVM-PhD), supporting over 1000 students at all stages of the program.[1][2][3]
History
editThe program has its origins in the non-NIH funded MD-PhD training offered at the nation's research-centric medical schools. An early dual-degree program began at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in 1956.[4] Other prominent medical schools quickly followed this example and developed integrated MD-PhD training structures.
In 1964, the NIH created the Medical Scientist Training Program to begin funding this medical and research education. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Northwestern University, and New York University were the original three MSTP programs that were established.
Admissions
editAdmission to MSTPs is the most competitive of all graduate medical education programs in the country.
In 2018, 672 of 1855 total applicants successfully matriculated into MD-PhD programs (36.2%), but only 513 of these slots were at MSTPs, making the matriculation rate for MSTPs nationally 27.7%.[5]
In comparison, MD-only programs had 40,174 positions for a total of 95,797 applicants (a 41.9% matriculation rate).[6] At each institution, these acceptance rates are varied and are often far more competitive than the national data. Applicants must have very strong MCAT scores and GPAs to be considered for positions in MSTP. Reflecting this fact, from 2018 to 2019 the average GPA and MCAT for matriculants to MSTPs were 3.79 and 515.6, respectively.[7] MSTP applicants will often have very strong research experience as well, in addition to the typical qualifications required from MD-only applicants.[citation needed]
Interviews for admissions at MSTPs tend to focus on the applicant's career goals and past experiences in scientific research. These may include short research talks or presentations followed by rigorous questioning by an interviewer or interviewing committee. MSTP applicants are often required to demonstrate a deep understanding of their past research projects. Multiple interview sessions conducted by different interviewers that last for 2 days are very common. At some MSTPs, applicants may also be required (or be offered the chance) to interview with the MD-only program.[citation needed]
Financial support
editMSTP matriculants receive substantial financial awards that make them financially competitive to their MD-only counterparts even with the longer training periods. These allowances cover all tuition expenses, provide travel and supply allowances, and accommodate living expenses through an annual stipend (ranging from $26,000 to $39,000). Overall grants typically range from $600,000 - $1,000,000. These monetary awards compare to approximately $250,000 of pre-tax income.[citation needed]
Since MSTP grants are a type of National Research Service Award, students must be nationals (citizens or noncitizens) of the United States or possess a I-151 or I-551 alien registration receipt. However many MSTPs offer non-MSTP grant funded positions, allowing for non-citizens and non-legalized nationals to be accepted into the MD-PhD program at that particular school. These programs are indistinguishable between the students besides the funding source. Furthermore, many non-MSTP medical schools have MD-PhD programs that are not supported by the NIH but offer similar training opportunities and grant stipends.{{[8]}}
Allied-institution programs
editSeveral MSTPs allow for the PhD portion of the MSTP to be completed outside the home university at an allied institution. These relationships provide additional and sometimes stronger research opportunities to students in these MSTPs.
Programs
editOutcomes
editAccording to a 2010 report of students from the 1970s-2010s, 95% of MSTP graduates entered a residency program after graduation.[37]
Applicants for NIH research grants that completed an MSTP program were three times more likely to be successfully funded than graduates with an MD/PhD that did not participate in an MSTP program.[37]
Non-MSTP MD-PhD programs
editA number of medical schools without funded NIH MSTP grant slots maintain their own non-MSTP MD-PhD combined degree programs, sometimes offering full or partial student financial support funded by the schools themselves.[2] As of 2021, 75 institutions provide a means for non-MSTP MD-PhD education in the United States.[38] Internationally, there are 34 non-US institutions that provide MD–PhD training.[39]
See also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Medical Scientist Training Program". National Institute of General Medical Sciences. 2015-07-29. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
- ^ a b "Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) Institutions - National Institute of General Medical Sciences". Publications.nigms.nih.gov. 2015-07-29. Archived from the original on 2016-12-16. Retrieved 2016-09-22.
- ^ "Predoc Training in Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)". National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Archived from the original on 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ a b "CWRU Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)". cwru.edu. Archived from the original on 2012-11-28. Retrieved 2012-06-20.
- ^ a b "FACTS". AAMC.
- ^ a b "2021 FACTS: Applicants and Matriculants Data". AAMC.
- ^ "Facts Table B-10" (PDF). www.aamc.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-11-05. Retrieved 2019-05-21.
- ^ MD/DO-PhD Programs in the Social Sciences & Humanities, American Physician Scientists Association, https://www.physicianscientists.org/page/SSH .
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah "MSTP Study: The Careers and Professional Activities of Graduates of the NIGMS Medical Scientist Training Program". National Institute of General Medical Sciences. 2011-04-22. Archived from the original on 2012-06-16. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ Vandewoude, Sue (2020-06-29). "Dual-Degree Medical Scientist Training Program for Veterinarians, Colorado State University, RePORT ⟩ RePORTER". NIH RePORTER. Archived from the original on 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ "D.V.M. AND PH.D. COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAM". Colorado State University. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ Ivanek Miojevic, Renata (2023-06-09). "Cornell University Combined DVM-PhD Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), RePORT ⟩ RePORTER". NIH RePORTER. Archived from the original on 2024-03-26. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ "Combined DVM-PhD Degree program pathway". Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ "Engineering–Medicine Partnership History". Purdue–Indiana.net. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
- ^ "Mayo Clinic M.D.-Ph.D. Program". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
- ^ "Medical Scientist Training Program Project Details, Medical College of Wisconsin, NIH RePORT ⟩ RePORTER".
- ^ Halushka, Perry Victor (1999-05-28). "Training Program for Medical Scientists, Medical University of South Carolina, NIH RePORT ⟩ RePORTER". NIH RePORTER. Archived from the original on 2024-07-14. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ "OHSU History Timeline". Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ^ Levenson, Robert (2016-06-30). "Medical Student Training Program". NIH RePORTER. Archived from the original on 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "NIH Funds OSU Medical Scientist Training Program - College of Medicine News". Medicine.osu.edu. 2011-06-14. Archived from the original on 2011-09-18. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ "History and Highlights". arizona.edu. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
- ^ Chen, Xinbin (2020-06-26). "UC Davis DVM/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program". NIH RePORTER. Archived from the original on 2024-07-14. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ "VSTP Program Overview". Veterinary Scientist Training Program. 2014-06-19. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- ^ "About the M.D./Ph.D Program | UC Davis School of Medicine". health.ucdavis.edu. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- ^ "UCI MSTP History". uci.edu. Archived from the original on 2012-05-04. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
- ^ "Physician Scientist Training Program Awarded NIH Designation". UC HealthNews. 2002-07-10. Archived from the original on 2006-09-04. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
- ^ "Medical Scientist Training Program Project Details, University of Illinois at Chicago, NIH RePORT ⟩ RePORTER".
- ^ Fields, Timothy A. (2023-05-13). "Kansas Medical Scientist Training Program, RePORT ⟩ RePORTER". NIH RePORTER. Archived from the original on 2024-03-30. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ "Medical Science Training Program Project Details, University of Maryland Baltimore, NIH RePORT ⟩ RePORTER".
- ^ "Medical Scientist Training Program Award". UMass Medical School - Worcester. Archived from the original on 2014-03-06.
- ^ Lemmon, Sandra K. (2017-06-29). "Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, RePORT ⟩ RePORTER". NIH RePORTER. Archived from the original on 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ Baca, Justin Thomas (2024-05-24). "University of New Mexico Leading Equity and Diversity in the Medical Scientist Training Program (UNM LEAD MSTP)". NIH RePORTER. Archived from the original on 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "History — UNC MD-PhD Program - (UNC School of Medicine)". Med.unc.edu. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ Brass, Lawrence F. (2023-05-24). "Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pennsylvania, RePORT ⟩ RePORTER". NIH RePORTER. Archived from the original on 2024-03-26. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ "Medical Scientist Training Program". NIH RePORTER. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ "M.D.-Ph.D. program awarded prestigious Medical Scientist Training Program grant from the NIH". news.vcu.edu. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
- ^ a b Physician-Scientist Working Group Report https://acd.od.nih.gov/documents/reports/PSW_Report_ACD_06042014.pdf
- ^ "MD-PhD Degree Programs by State". students-residents.aamc.org. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- ^ "DO/PhD Programs". Archived from the original on 2012-02-19. Retrieved 2012-06-19.
External links
edit- NIH Overview
- American Physician Scientists Association
- List of NIH MSTPs
- Ulane, Rod (3 October 2003). "Careers: The M.D./Ph.D.: An Academic Path to a Career as a Physician-Scientist". Science.