ABIM Research Track in Heme/Onc?

[blondemed]

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So, here's the deal, I'm a 4th year medical student at a well-respected program in the NE. I decided to take time off after my 3rd year to pursue clinical research in heme/onc. I chose this because A) I'm planning on entering the specialty and thought it would be good to gain exposure, make some connections in the department and B) possibly get a publication or two, which would boost my competitiveness when applying to internal medicine programs. I recently was told about ABIM and it sounds interesting/appealing and have thought about applying to programs.

I didn't know much about ABIM and did an extensive search on the forums to educate myself. While it seems very appealing as a "fast track" I also realize that it will take longer (6-7 years if I want to do heme/onc) and I have to commit to 3 years of research and won't get board certified till I complete it. I also would prefer to do clinical research vs. basic although it seems that this is possible.

It is ideal in the sense that I would be guaranteed fellowship but I also am concerned about abbreviating my clinical training and potentially removing myself from the clinical arena (I see myself as physician first, then possibly physician-scientist). My preceptor seems to do a mix of clinical and research (probably 60:40) which would be ideal for me. I do not have any advanced degrees , and it seems from my research that that most of the candidates who seek out these positions do (MD/PhD mostly).

I would appreciate any thoughts, opinions especially from those who are familiar or are pursuing ABIM research tracks.

 

[gutonc]

First of all, just to make things clear, "ABIM" is the the specialty board that administers all of this stuff. There's a lot of other things that they do besides govern the rules and recs of the Researth Pathway.

Second of all: if you haven't already, read this thread - http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=479780&highlight=research+pathway. There is a long, exquisitely descriptive post there about the Pathway and the application process in general.

Here are my thoughts re: your specific case. yes, you can do the pathway with clinical research as well as basic research. So don't let that dissuade you from pursuing the pathway. Also (and you seem to understand this already), the "Fast Track" is nothing of the sort. It is anywhere from 6-12 mos longer in Hem/Onc than the traditional IM --> H/O pathway (depending on whether you single or double board).

As far as abbreviating your IM training, I think it's less of an issue than most people think. I'm not saying it's irrelevant (I clearly know less about a number of other non-Onc issues than some of my colleagues but I've yet to call a consult as a fellow that I wouldn't have called as a resident and they're usually just when I need somebody to stick a needle/scalpel/scope into something to help with a diagnosis) but I think it gets a little overblown.

I have to commit to 3 years of research and won't get board certified till I complete it.

This, I think, is the crux of your case. If you approach this as "I have to do 3 years of research," rather than "I get to do 3 years of research," you're doing it for the wrong reasons and will be unhappy doing it. Personally, I was just biding my time during residency and my first year of fellowship, waiting to get back into the lab. If that's not the way you feel, you should seriously reconsider this idea. Just as you shouldn't do an MD/PhD just to get med school paid for, you shouldn't do the research pathway just to get out of a year of IM.

If you want to do clinical medicine with some clinical research on the side, just do the standard pathway. It's less stressful, you get more clinical exposure, and you won't have to constantly explain to your colleagues what the hell you're doing still in fellowship during year 4. Plus, if you're competitive for a Research Pathway residency, you won't have any trouble getting a fellowship spot in 2 years. If you want a career that is primarily research based (clinical or basic science), the Research Pathway is a great way to go.