Qualitative study explores factors influencing professional identity in physician-scientist trainees, highlighting the role of integration and relationships.
Key Points
The aim is to understand how professional identity forms in dual-degree physician-scientist trainees and the elements influencing this process.
Conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 20 MD/PhD trainees and recent alumni
Used a phenomenologically informed thematic approach to analyze the data
Identified major themes related to integration of practices and the importance of relationships
Two major themes: integration of clinical and research practices and the role of relationships in boundary navigation
Subthemes include meaningful connections with established physician-scientists, classmates, and PhD advisors
Emphasizes need for structured opportunities in training to support professional identity formation.