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.