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 three main programs in this area:

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.

Several exciting IPSTP initiatives are in development:

Bridging between MD and Post MD Training

Competency-based, research-integrative pathways for trainees in their transition to residency are being developed in close association with several clinical departments. In addition, Physician Scientist Connects (PS CoNex) has been conceived as a unifying hub for physician scientist education, mentorship, and career development. A survey is currently being developed to better understand the needs of the local physician scientist community and the various themes and events that can be incorporated into programming for PS CoNex.

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, a proposal has been developed and is currently under review to launch a graduate diploma in health research to cater to MD students interested in more extensive research training over a 20-month period. As a new graduate-level diploma program of the School of Graduate Studies, successful trainees will earn this credential during their undergraduate medical studies, providing them with invaluable research training and greater insight into future career options as physician scientists.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Nicola Jones
Director, Integrated Physician Scientist Training Program

Kendra Hawke
Program Manager, Physician Scientist Training
416.978.3277
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