Physician Scientist Training Programs

Physician scientist training programs aim to prepare physicians‐in‐training for a career of leading medical discovery, and application of new knowledge to improve human health. These programs aim to educate a physician‐in‐training to become bilingual in medicine and scientific research.

At the University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine, there are four main programs in this area:

• MD/PhD Program: a combined program where students earn both MD and PhD degrees
• Comprehensive Research Experiences for Medical Student Programs (CREMS): non-degree research opportunities for current MD students
• Clinical Investigator Program (CIP): diploma program for postgraduate medical students to engage in research training at the level of a MSc, PhD degree or postdoctoral fellowship.
• Graduate Diploma in Health Research (GDipHR): GDipHR superseded the CREMS Research Scholar Program and will earn the student an additional U of T Diploma at the time of graduation with the MD degree.

Integrated Physician in Scientist Training Pathway

The Temerty Faculty of Medicine is creating a competency-based, flexible, and customizable Integrated Physician Scientist Training Pathway (IPSTP), building on the strengths of our existing physician scientist training programs.

The pathway provides opportunities for medical students to pursue research at various points in their clinical training. Recognizing that students have diverse research needs, the IPSTP aims to provide flexible ‘on ramps’ to research education along the continuum of the MD and Post MD Programs.

Recent IPSTP innovations that have been implemented include:

Dual Status in the MD Program and School of Graduate Studies

To accommodate trainees in the MD/PhD Program who wish to take graduate courses, medical students now have dual status within the MD Program and the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) beginning from the start of their combined program. Simultaneous Entry allows for an introductory period of graduate studies and research experience before a trainee begins full-time PhD studies, enhances integration of clinical medicine and research, and potentially shortens the length of the MD/PhD Program. 

MD/PhD Summer Comprehensive Research Experience for Medical Students (CREMS) Program

The MD/PhD Summer CREMS Program provides a tailored, 10-12 week research experience that is initiated by the MD/PhD student with a supervisor of their choice. This program is funded by a generous endowment from Miss Jessie Calder.

Graduate Diploma for Health Research

Part of the IPSTP strategy is to provide alternative onramps for research interested students that would lead to greater proclivity for research during studies in the MD Program as well as in the Post-MD Program. Capitalizing on the success of the Comprehensive Research Experience for Medical Students (CREMS) Scholar Program, the GDipHR will offer a limited number of competitively selected first year MD students an opportunity to conduct a research project mentored by a U of T Graduate Faculty researcher, complete a didactic course MSC1992Y - Research Skills for the Physician Scientist and take a relevant elective graduate half course. Successful completion of the entire program over 20 consecutive months (from January 1 of MD year 1 to the end of the summer following MD year 2) will earn the student an additional U of T Diploma at the time of graduation with the MD degree. .

For more information, contact:

Dr. Nicola Jones
Director, Integrated Physician Scientist Training Program

Andrew McLeod
Program Manager, Physician Scientist Training Program
416.978.3277
E-mail us