LOR from research?

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is it necessary to get LOR from your PI you did research with? I did research with this one PI for a year in a field not related to the specialty I'm applying to. The research was good and I managed to get a publication out of it, but if I ask my PI for a LOR, he can only talked about my research so it'll be non-clinical letter. I was just wondering if residency programs are interested in reading research LOR from non-related specialty.

I remember as a premed that if you work in a research, you pretty much has to get a LOR from your PI or else the med school might get suspicious why you didnt get a letter. Just wondering if it applies to residency as well.

I expect it varies by specialty, but the EM program directors of whom I've asked that question (N of approximately 6) have said it isn't important for most applicants.

might as well. I am since I'll have worked with the guy for 6+ months. The letter will be different but not every letter needs to be clinical. If you are going to angle yourself as research in any way a letter from your PI would help.

I also think it depends on the specialty, the type of programs you're applying to, and how much you're emphasizing research and academics in your application. In the end I don't think I could hurt, unless the LOR isn't going to be a good one.