Factors Associated With R01 Submission Among Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Career Development Award Recipients.

OBJECTIVES

Advancement of medical science is dependent on the development of clinician-scientists; however, the factors contributing to a successful transition to research independence remain unknown, especially in critical care. We aimed to determine factors associated with submission of a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01-level award among pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM) physicians.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Web-based survey administered from September 2024 to November 2024 in academic pediatric critical care divisions.

SUBJECTS: PCCM physicians who received an NIH career development award (K award; either institutional [K12, KL2] or individual [K08, K23, K99/R00]) between 2014 and 2023.

INTERVENTIONS: None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN

RESULTS

Participants were asked about award, recipient, and institutional characteristics and work hours. We used multivariable generalized linear regression to identify factors associated with R01 submission. Among 122 PCCM K award recipients, 102 (83.6%) completed the survey. Among 76 respondents who had completed or were within 1 year of completing K award funding, 53 (69.7%) had submitted an R01. Factors independently associated with higher likelihood of R01 submission were: 1) receipt of an individual K award (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 2.38; 95% CI, 1.30-4.38) or an institutional followed by an individual K award (aRR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.19-3.83) relative to an institutional award only; 2) conducting basic science research (aRR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.11-1.89); 3) receiving an NIH Loan Repayment Program award (aRR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.21-2.19); 4) having fewer other K award recipients in the PCCM division (aRR, 2.33 for 0 vs. 3 or more; 95% CI, 1.45-3.76); and 5) working fewer nightshift hours (aRR, 1.89 for first vs. fourth quartile; 95% CI, 1.17-3.06).

CONCLUSIONS

Among over 100 PCCM K award recipients, both individual and institutional factors were associated with R01 submission, suggesting potential targets for efforts to support the transition to independence for K award recipients and bolster growth of the clinician-scientist workforce.