As someone on the industry side, I was lucky enough to learn how important research is to the specialty, and how under-funded it can be. It helped guide my decision to expand, year after year, the support that La Fondation La Roche-Posay provides to dermatology to support grants. Not only has this research filled gaps in critical therapeutic areas, I have seen the finished research for young dermatologists. I am not normally one to drop names, but some doctors who received La Fondation La Roche-Posay grants early in their careers as residents include John Harris, MD, PhD, Adam Friedman, MD and Bryan Sun, MD. I do not think their successes are accidental. By no means do I think this foundation was the secret to their success, but winning grants and executing important research is a common factor in being seen as a thought leader in dermatology.
As a practicing dermatologist, you may have turned your attention to everyday matters, such as managing employees, insurance reimbursement and marketing your services, to name a few. You may want to consider including a focus on dermatology research. This can not only be beneficial to your career but the research outcomes will no doubt go hand-in-hand with your everyday patient care.
Here are four ways research grants are important for your career:
Research connects dermatologists with key opinion and industry leaders
You don’t have to go at your research alone. By securing a research grant, you’ll be connected to a funding organization, whether that’s a patient advocacy group for a particular dermatologic condition or a key player in the industry that’s looking to evaluate a new product. These relationships with funding organizations could beget additional opportunities, such as additional research grants or invitations to serve on an advisory board. Plus connections with key opinion leaders (KOLs) could lead to mentorship opportunities.
Research increases your stature in dermatology
Obtaining a research grant – and the exposure from the resulting published research — increases your stature in the field and helps position you as a leader and expert in the condition. This could lead to additional opportunities including invitations to speak at dermatology conferences and requests for media interviews.
Always remember that grants beget grants. Smaller foundation grants can pave the way for large, federally funded opportunities. Grant committees want to invest in those who have a proven track record.
Research improves your patient care
Participating in an industry research project may provide you with access to new drugs or devices for which to evaluate, or you may evaluate new uses for existing treatments. Research grants keep you up-to-date on the latest advancements in the field.
Participating in research also keeps your critical eye sharp when evaluating other published research as well as drug and device marketing claims.
Research also can invigorate your work life. The timeline of a research project – and the anticipation of results – can make an everyday workday more exciting. In some cases, it may bring you back to your first love — basic science — that led you into medicine in the first place.
Stack winning a grant in your favor
- Research the research. If your research area is one with a lot of existing data already, make sure you have a novel approach to something you want to discover.
- Make sure your C.V. is up to date, reads easily and includes any and all relevant experience related to your research topic. Include a letter of recommendation from your department chair or a person of influence in the specialty.
- Be clear in the breakdown of your budget where every dollar is going – make sure that you include the costs of books and other publications, database and app subscriptions, materials and supplies in your budget. And, be sure to look at the funding organization’s guidelines on approved expenses. Many funders offer specific guidance to answer all your application questions.
