Encouragement to be a physician scientist

Abstract

In this article, to express my gratitude for letting me host the 54th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Pediatric Nephrology in the beginning of the new era of “Reiwa”, a message to the next generation of this great society is conveyed. First, the history of the etiology in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, one of my lifeworks, will be summarized with my own data. Second, my precious lessons from several unforgettable patients will be introduced. To sum up the message: 1) Have a research mind and a research theme that will become a lifework, aiming to be a Physician Scientist; 2) Write case report papers actively; 3) Be aware that the patient at hand may give you a clue to solving clinical questions; 4) Ask yourself all the time why some patients respond well and others do not by the same standard treatments. Do not shut off your brain.