Abstract
Advances in healthcare are fueled by discovery and innovation in science and technology. However, such discovery and innovation cannot occur without vital inputs from a clinician. Here, we make a case for the training of clinicians as scientists and engineers to help integrate over disciplines and accelerate translational research in India. We identify and suggest possible solutions to the challenges of creating an Indian clinician-scientist. We further take stock of programs across the globe, initiatives in India, including at our institute, and highlight possible paths that could be taken to train such individuals. With an adequate investment of effort and time, we believe that the clinician-scientist will have the ability to transform healthcare in India.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank Sandhya S. Visweswariah for her comments on the manuscript. Many of the ideas presented here are based on extensive discussions with G.K. Ananthasuresh and others at the Indian Institute of Science.
Funding
FAM, JKM, MN, and SKP are partly supported by the Margadarshi fellowship (IA/M/16/1/502606) to SSV. SJ is supported by the Intermediate fellowship (IA/I/19/1/504265) from the DBT-Wellcome India Alliance.
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Mukadam, F.A., Mathew, J.K.K., Nundy, M. et al. Clinician Scientists in the Indian Context. J Indian Inst Sci 102, 753–761 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41745-022-00303-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41745-022-00303-2