Any research location/type/time acceptable for medical student?

[Bigson001]

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I'm a 1st year med student and I feel that I need to do research this summer.

My question is not whether I need to do research but whether any research is acceptable.

I have done research in the past in undergrad and I should be getting a publication out of it (I think 1st author, not sure yet). Would this basic science research look fine on my resume if I chose to go into a competitive residency field or do I need to do research in a medical institution and receive publication on that research instead?

Yes, I understand medical school research would look better and clinical research looks better than basic science but I'm tired of always working, studying or doing research in the summer.

The problem is that I don't know what field I want to go into and most competitive specialties (I believe) want you to do research in that field. I don't even know if I want to go into or will have the scores to go into these fields (almost all field appeals to me right now since I haven't really experienced 3rd year rotations yet).

Again, my question is not whether I need to do research, it is whether the research I have done in undergrad, and should receive publication in (publication date will be while I am in medical school but the actual research was done during undergrad), will be sufficient?

Of course, any other comments are welcome.


THANKS

 

[Bigson001]

No one has a response?

Please?


THANKS

 

[Bigson001]

bump

 

[Coconut45]

Clinical research isn't ALWAYS more valued than basic science research. It depends on your project, the field, etc. If you're going into transplant surgery and do transplant immunology research, that would show that you have interest in thinking about the "scientific problems" of the field, for example. You said you don't really feel like doing much this summer, so maybe try to pick up a project that won't be too time consuming and enjoy your summer. Doing basic science research is often time consuming and it maybe he hard to get a publication from a couple month's work. Publications aren't everything, but it would be nice. If you can think of a field you're interested in, maybe just email someone in the department and try to get in on a project already going on. I've had success with that. There's sometimes opportunities to jump on research projects with residents third year, so you still have some time.

 

[Neuronix]

I have done research in the past in undergrad and I should be getting a publication out of it (I think 1st author, not sure yet). Would this basic science research look fine on my resume

It's a what have you done for me lately type of thing. They want to see research in medical school for it to count.

Yes, I understand medical school research would look better and clinical research looks better than basic science but I'm tired of always working, studying or doing research in the summer.

How does clinical research look better than basic science? I think most students do clinical research because it's easier to get something accomplished with no training and limited time. Basic science is definately still smiled upon by most residency programs, but everyone knows it takes a year out at least to make any real contribution.

The problem is that I don't know what field I want to go into and most competitive specialties (I believe) want you to do research in that field.

In field research > out of field research > no research

It's just like med shcool, for most competitive residencies research is NOT required, it just looks good. The vast majority of the research people are doing is one of summer between 1st and 2nd year, 4th year, or both.

If you don't want to do research between 1st and 2nd year... Don't is my advice. At some point you have stop doing things all the time just because you think they'll look good. Go have a good time. If you still want to look good you could go do global health abroad or something.

 

[RxnMan]

I'm a 1st year med student and I feel that I need to do research this summer...

Nobody has to do research. Many people in many fields match without it. This is your last summer, and you can just as easily spend it doing something else.

...My question is not whether I need to do research but whether any research is acceptable...

It depends on what you want to do and where you want to go. If you know-know that you're going into optho, then it'd look better to do optho research come time to fill out your ERAS. But given that almost EVERYONE changes their mind in med school, I wouldn't sweat it. Some fields don't care one way or the other.

...I have done research in the past in undergrad and I should be getting a publication out of it (I think 1st author, not sure yet). Would this basic science research look fine on my resume if I chose to go into a competitive residency field or do I need to do research in a medical institution and receive publication on that research instead?...

I see no reason why you wouldn't include a pre-med science publication (regardless of type) on your ERAS. Would it look better to keep up a research program? Of course. But again, some fields don't stress research, and you are already ahead of many of your fellow students.

...Yes, I understand medical school research would look better and clinical research looks better than basic science but I'm tired of always working, studying or doing research in the summer...

Then don't. Do something else. Give yourself a rest. You have 3 more years to get out a paper or a project.

And some here would argue that basic science > clinical.

...The problem is that I don't know what field I want to go into and most competitive specialties (I believe) want you to do research in that field. I don't even know if I want to go into or will have the scores to go into these fields (almost all field appeals to me right now since I haven't really experienced 3rd year rotations yet)...

I feel much the same. I also get that you're kinda nervous about this decision. Here's the deal - the most competitive residencies will look for research. If you are competing for those, heck, anything that separates you out will make you more competitive. And it is good that you realize that you don't know what you're interested in because you don't have experience with most of clinical medicine. It is good to work hard and create options for yourself. But if you're tired after MS1, thats OK.

Take some time to recharge. You're already ahead of a lot of your class. You have 3 years to do more projects if you want. And I'll tell you, if you talk to your profs and clinical faculty for awhile, before you know it you'll have more projects than you know what to do with.

If you choose to do research, look in the student research forum FAQ. I've listed a bunch of opportunities that med students can apply for there. Talking about specific fields - I think most program directors realize that not every orthopod-to-be can do a ortho project. You can do projects (basic science or otherwise) on subjects that touch on all fields: hypertension, atherosclerosis, ID, and you can spin them to enhance an app to just about any field.

And you can always take a year off to do research...

 

[Bigson001]

Thanks for all the great replies guys. I will absorb all of the information.



Thanks again!