PhD Faculty in the Clinical Department FREE

Sir.—I read with interest the article by Leuschen et al¹ and related commentaries,^2,3 which appeared in the June 1988 issue of AJDC, about the role of pediatric research conducted by faculty with doctoral degrees who are not physicians. It seems to me that each of the articles reflected on some of the advantages of research directed by PhD faculty in a clinical department, but considerably more attention was paid to the disadvantages and problems. There is no question, as Dr Fulginiti pointed out, that research conducted by a PhD-trained scientist presents real concerns both for the clinical department and for the individual faculty member. I would submit, however, that as research technologies continue to become more sophisticated and labor-intensive, the necessity for dedicated research faculty becomes essential whether it be by MD- or PhD-trained individuals. The clinician is in a unique position to identify the most important