Physician-Scientists Want to Address Social Determinants in Their Work – Are There Opportunities for Them to Train?

Abstract

In this Scholarly Perspectives Essay, a group of physician-scientist trainee leaders—all serving in the American Physician Scientists Association—describe our experiences in identifying and pursuing training in the social determinants of health (SDOH). Our experiences were variable, but can reliably be traced by beginning at our pre-medical institutions. Further, we describe the limited information for potential trainees about available opportunities in the United States. Finally, we describe a series of actionable steps that governmental and non-governmental leadership should take to improve the process for cultivating SDOH-minded physician-scientists of tomorrow.