Clinician to Researcher?

[ryleyross]

Im currently in my first year of PA school but I realized that I want to become a researcher in epidemiology, which obviously would entail pursuing a PhD. I'm wondering if I should discontinue my program and go get MPH, or is it possible to gain experience as a PA and eventually pursue PhD in epi?

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[625233]

Shooting from the hip here, but I'm gonna say getting a PhD is going to be the only way to guarantee a research position. However, I think an MPH can often be enough to acquire a research position, especially if you do a project or two while attending.


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[ryleyross]

Shooting from the hip here, but I'm gonna say getting a PhD is going to be the only way to guarantee a research position. However, I think an MPH can often be enough to acquire a research position, especially if you do a project or two while attending.


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Well I'm more or less wondering if PAs have opportunities to gain research experiences to apply for PhD programs, or do I have to have a MPH to get any meaningful research experience? Does research experiences need to produce publications, or can it be just working/volunteering in research?