Research training and residents

A key point highlighted by H. Savolainen comments 1 on M. Laberge’s article 2 is the lack of physicians trained in research and conducting interdisciplinary/translational or clinical research. There is an urgent need to train young clinician scientists. Sharing experiences and information on measures used to attract young physicians to research programs is of special interest. This is the practice in France, particularly in pediatrics. Funding is central. France has a national program granting a one-year research training fellowship for resident physicians. Societies, including the French Pediatric Society, organize annual competitions to fund young physicians to maximize opportunities for research. The Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) clinical investigation centres has widened training opportunities for clinicians. And the professors of pediatrics have developed national and regional symposia on research as part of the pediatrics training curriculum. Seeing what their peers get from a research fellowship would promote other residents to follow a similar path and help decision-makers/medical leaders set new policies to promote health research.