The number of medical academics is falling

The British Medical Association asked 473 doctors about their current and future job plans.

It found that just one in four had ever considered pursuing a career in academic medicine.

The finding comes at a time when the number of doctors taking up academic teaching and research posts is at an all time low.

'Sad and worrying'

"It is sad and worrying that so few doctors see academic careers as a realistic or appealing option," said Professor Michael Rees, chairman of the BMA's medical academic staff committee.

"The NHS needs high calibre researchers to be able to develop the best possible treatments.

We recognise that there are issues relating to the recruitment and retention for health professionals involved in learning and research Spokeswoman, Department of Health

"And with medical school intake on the increase, the need for qualified medical lecturers and professors to teach students is increasingly important."

The survey found that many doctors felt there would be a financial disincentive to taking up a job in academic medicine.

They also associated such jobs with a poor career structure and a lack of advice and support.

The BMA has drawn up proposals to reform the way doctors are trained at medical school, so that they are exposed to teaching and research opportunities earlier.

The report, called Medical Academic Career Intentions, also calls for more flexible working patterns to encourage more doctors to stay in academic medicine and encourage others to take up jobs.

Figures from the Council of Heads of Medical Schools show that the number of academics in UK medical schools fell from 3,549 in 2000 to 3,048 last year - a drop of 14%.

The report comes just months after medical academic staff in England voted in favour of a new contract.

The deal, which follows new contracts for consultants and GPs, will see their salaries rise by 15%.

The BMA said it would also give academics greater power to balance their commitments to teaching and research with their work in the NHS.

The Department of Health said work was under way to try to attract more doctors in academic medicine.

"We recognise that there are issues relating to the recruitment and retention for health professionals involved in learning and research," said a spokeswoman.

"At the inaugural meeting in November 2002 of the Strategic Learning and Research Advisory Group for Health and Social Care, jointly chaired by the Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Health, we agreed that further work was required and that an HR Strategy should be developed.