Reproductive physician-scientists for the twenty-first century

As we enter a new century, departments of obstetrics and gynecology in American medical schools face a number of challenges. A primary concern is the relative dearth of physician-scientists to explore basic mechanisms of cell function and relate these to the diseases of women. The question arises, what can we do to revitalize the spirit of investigation in many of our academic departments? This report reviews three programs designed to develop academic investigators: the Reproductive Scientist Development Program, the American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society/American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Foundation Fellowship Program, and the Women's Reproductive Health Research Career Development Centers. On the basis of a decade of experience with the first two of these programs, the prospects for the third are promising. Clearly, the opportunities for obstetrician-gynecologist basic and clinical scientists are considerable. The question remains: Will leaders in the specialty work together to meet the challenge?