Patient Care, Teaching, and Research

The task of universities is to teach. Research, however, is more enjoyable and the main criterion for prestige, promotion, and tenure. Many academics see teaching as a non-rewarding, time-consuming, and emotionally draining distraction from their research. Furthermore, teaching is not the highest priority in medical schools. Clinicians care first, for patients, second for residents, fellows, and research projects, and teaching comes last. The survival of preclinical teachers depends on their research productivity. Consequently, teaching may be done by junior faculty who cannot refuse the demands of their department chairs. This section explores the relationship between teaching and research; the need to include research methods in the curriculum; and the role of the clinician-scientist.