Future Shock in Academic Medicine

Abstract

The current social revolution clearly influences patterns of academic medicine. The increasingly rapid turnover of academic physicians results largely from rapidly changing government-sponsored programs in goal-oriented research, in education and in clinical services carried out by medical schools. This increased transience of faculty inhibits personal pride in and loyalty to institutions, diminishes opportunities for professional identification and reduces the importance of academie tenure. The reorganization of clinical departments into divisions of primary and of specialty care is likely. The impact of an increased fraction of women in academic medicine is yet to be felt. The viability of monthly scientific journals as the backbone of communication among bio-medical investigations is questionable. A variety of steps may, however, be designed to maximize the potential benefits and to minimize the deleterious consequences resulting from these changes.