OK...sorry couldn't answer this last night on my teeny-tiny little cellphone keypad (I have sausage-like fingers). Let me also say that this is my opinion, and while I am trying to be objective and think beyond my personal opinions, that they still bias my "world-view". I whipped together this chart above. As you can see, the ultimate career mixture of research and clinical time is different for the ideal CCLCM grad and an MSTP grad. I say 'ideal', because there may be crossover after you get out there in the real world, but this is sort of a schematic representation of expectations.
So what does CCLCM prepare you for, in contrast with an MD/Phd?
CCLCM is not meant to compete directly with MSTP programs. Having said that, many MD/PhD candidates (and several matriculants) have chosen to apply to CCLCM (and even attend). This is because there is some overlap in interest among applicants as far as future career goals. However, the expectation for our graduates is that they will have a more significant clinical career focus than the "ideal" 80/20 split of a MD/PhD graduate. That is, our expectation is that you are an astute clinician who does some research as opposed to vice-versa. We are in the clinic early and often - more so than many straight MD programs. There is no getting around that you must be great with patients here.
On a personal note, I have made my own goal to become a "master clinician" later in my career. I have pointed this out in my personal development essays and have gotten great feedback from my faculty and advisers. I share this to point out that is was well-received - possibly even
expected - from CCLCM faculty. I think your would raise some eyebrows if you made this clear in an MD/PhD program, but that's just my opinion.
I should also point out that CCLCM's integrates research into our basic medical science curriculum. This is in contrast to an MD/PhD who will learn their basic science with the straight MD students. While this may be subtle, I have found it to be a great way to delve into research topics nicely throughout the first year.
are there often situations where the CCLCM students decide later that they want to/wish they had done an MD/PhD?
I don't know of any that have decided
during medical school to pursue a PhD. I know of at least one who had funding and research lined up at Cambridge and is taking time off to finish his PhD. But this is an exception and was arranged ahead of time, and not a rule.
Is it possible to move into the MD/Phd program from CCLCM?
If you mean, leave CCLCM and move over to Case to complete your basic science years at Case in the UP with the MD/PhD candidates- not that I know of. As far as I know, this has never happened, and it is unlikely since there is almost no similarity between our curricula. Let me stress that you should not think this is an option if you come here. At all.
Are the research focuses a lot different?
We have students interested in basic, translational, and pure clinical research. Our Dean Young encourages research even in areas not traditionally associated with MSTPs such as the business of medicine and healthcare delivery (more MPH-focused research). So I would argue that there are more options available to our students than basic science research. However, our program is "only" 5 years (although some elect to take an extra year). MD/PhD students would sneer and say that one year of dedicated is not a significant amount a time to develop skills. However, I think it is important that our goal is not to have our grads running labs full-time. I think Dean Franco would be happy if we simply participated in other peoples' labs or had a full-time PhD running "our" labs for us. Furthermore, there is additional training opportunities beyond medical school for training in research, so this is argument is a little off-target.
Sounds like you are really interested in getting that PhD? PM me if you want to hash this out further. Most of us CCLCM students want to make sure that applicants make the right choice. It helps nobody to have a candidate come here and be miserable.
Hope that helps?
P.S. Top!
