The 2014 Clinician Scholar Development Program (CSDP) will be held September 25-27, 2014, in Rosemont, Illinois. The programme is hosted by the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, (AAOS) Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF)and Orthopaedic Research Society. (ORS).

The programme is an annual program seeking applicants in their PGY2-PGY5 residency years in fellowship and junior faculty through year three who have the potential or desire to become orthopaedic clinical scientists  Around 15 particpants are selected to particpate in the 1.5 day CSDP training workshops ..

Orthopaedic clinician scholars continue to generate significant contributions to the field of orthopaedics. Unfortunately, due to a variety of factors at play in the healthcare environment, the number of clinician scientists has been on the decline in recent years.

“The decline in the numbers of both active clinician scientists and those entering this career path has long been of concern to the academy. As a means of confronting this issue, the academy created the Clinician Scientist Programs Committee (CSPC), now under the auspices of the Council on Research, Quality Assessment and Technology. As a result of reorganisation efforts, the CSPC merged with the Research Committee to form the Research Development Committee (RDC).  The RDC works closely with the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) and the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) on programs focusing on developing Clinician Scientists,” the AAOS informs through its website.  

The RDC is charged with developing pathways that facilitate careers for orthopaedic clinician scientists. The committee, along with OREF and ORS, provide a continuum of training and a variety of opportunities for current and future clinician scientists.

As the RDC progresses in its efforts, it aims to partner with others to develop a cadre of orthopaedic clinician scientists who will lead the research efforts to find new methodologies to treat and cure orthopaedic related illnesses and injuries. The AAOS/OREF/ORS CSDP is a first step in the career path for clinician scientists. This program offers the orthopaedic profession a new source of clinician scientists engaged in research that advances orthopaedic surgery and musculoskeletal medicine.