Hi guys! So I'm an MS1 and I'm interested in otolaryngology. I know it's early, I might change my mind, it's competitive, etc. Anyways I'd rather reach for a more competitive specialty so when the time comes to apply for residency, I will have everything I need under my belt.
I love research (worked as a clinical research associate for 3 years before med school) and I have the opportunity to work on 2 projects in otolaryngology for the summer between MS1 and MS1. Both are very different and both are really exciting and I am am having a really hard time deciding between the 2.
One is translational research, working in an animal lab:
They both mentioned the importance of research and publications for ENT and I feel like both understand this is what med students are looking for when they conduct research.
Sorry this was a long post. I would like your input on which project could be the most productive for me as an aspiring ENT.
I love research (worked as a clinical research associate for 3 years before med school) and I have the opportunity to work on 2 projects in otolaryngology for the summer between MS1 and MS1. Both are very different and both are really exciting and I am am having a really hard time deciding between the 2.
One is translational research, working in an animal lab:
- As a medical student I really get to do everything: surgeries, monitoring/testing the animals for the different characteristics that we are interested in, data analysis, etc. Also we get to do a poster presentation the following spring.
- On the plus side: will be working on 2 research studies at the same time because after the animal surgery we are looking at 2 different things. Kill one bird with 2 stones and maybe my name on 2 publications...
- Since it is a translational study, there are a not of people involved: 4 attendings in different departments/sub-specialties, and already 7 students+residents so I don't know if this will hurt my chances to be on a publication (so many people how much can you contribute?)
- Last point and I don't know if this matters: the person who will be personally mentoring me is a phd and not an ENT (but this IS an ENT research). Of the other attendings on this projects, 2 are ENTs but I won't be closely working with them.
- Paid
- It hasn't been IRB approved yet but will most probably be in a couple of month (let's assume it is for the sake of this discussion). My point is the project will start this summer. I will work on it full-time and then try to contrite as much as a can during MS2. Realistically how far can I make the project move forward and can I expect a publication in the future?
- Responsibilities of the medical student would be enrolling patients, consent, some data analysis. etc.
- Plus: I will be able to observe ENT surgeries.
- The ENT who will be my mentor is a big shot surgeon. He is chief of the Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery division and does conferences all over the country. And I probably will get to know him well since we will only be 4 people working on this project.
- Probably unpaid
They both mentioned the importance of research and publications for ENT and I feel like both understand this is what med students are looking for when they conduct research.
Sorry this was a long post. I would like your input on which project could be the most productive for me as an aspiring ENT.