P6 - Strategies to engage clinicians to make the transition to clinician researchers: embedding clinicians in a medical research institut

Clinicians are a bridge between basic science and improved patient outcomes, as well as offering expertise to research scientists and providing a translational context. The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Australia's oldest medical research institute, is investigating ways to engage, develop and embed clinician researchers in research groups. Traditionally, clinicians join WEHI as part of the larger PhD student cohort. We are looking into options to engage clinicians earlier in their training: MD/PhD programs, clinician fellows, or medical student research projects. Due to their different life and career stages, these clinicians likely require specialised supervision that offers flexibility and an understanding of their clinical education and commitments. We have implemented targeted development programs such as lab skills training and peer mentoring. After the PhD, the challenge is to offer a clinical scientist career path such that we retain their expertise. How do we engage Clinicians to become Clinician Researchers? We will share our current approach and program. There are significant benefits to our researchers and to patients if we can get this right.