The Radical Democratization of Academic Medicine
Academic medicine is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by declining public research funding, the rise of alternative scholarly communication, and the impact of artificial intelligence.
“I’d rather discuss addiction with Dax Shephard on ‘Armchair Expert’ than present at a national meeting if given the option,”
writes Jonathan Avery, highlighting the shift away from traditional models of academic medicine. The old ideal of a physician-researcher, supported by NIH grants and publishing in high-impact journals, is no longer the only path.
- Falling public research funding
- Proliferation of alternative modes of scholarly communication
- Transformative influence of artificial intelligence
These factors are driving a radical democratization of academic medicine, where productivity is no longer measured solely by citations and prestige is not limited to institutional affiliation.
Author's summary: Academic medicine is changing rapidly.