Anyone apply after doing a phd?

[TheMightyAngus]

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I'm hoping to go into academic medicine, in a clinical field related to my current research. I am having a hard time visualizing how I will be able to balance the research vs. clinical aspects. I know that I am going to really enjoy the clinical side, and the main reason I am going into medicine is to work with patients, etc. I definately don't want to become a 80:20 research:clinic faculty, but unfortunately I don't have many models of those who are 50:50 or 70:30. I definately want to stay connected to the research, though, because of the excitement/challenge/interactions with other scientists/importance to clinical practice. I think this is going to be something that I have to "feel out" as I progress through my career.

From what I've heard, in order to be competive researchwise you have to devote 100% of your time to research. Most physician researchers I know don't see patients at all, or at most a half day of clinic a week. With the competition for funding, time commitments to run a lab, the need to publish, etc., you just don't have time to see patients.

 

[humuhumu]

From what I've heard, in order to be competive researchwise you have to devote 100% of your time to research. Most physician researchers I know don't see patients at all, or at most a half day of clinic a week. With the competition for funding, time commitments to run a lab, the need to publish, etc., you just don't have time to see patients.

I think you're right if you're trying to run a lab. However, I imagine it's possible to participate in research -- especially clinical studies -- without being the principal investigator.

 

[TheMightyAngus]

I think you're right if you're trying to run a lab. However, I imagine it's possible to participate in research -- especially clinical studies -- without being the principal investigator.

True. But if you want a tenured position, you almost need to be a PI.

 

[docbill]

In Toronto, we have lots of PI's which are MD only. They run their labs while doing 2-3 days clinical activity per week. It is very possible/in fact done in big research centers.

I plan to have my basic & transational cardiovascular lab, while working in clinic.

 

[QofQuimica]

Of those of you with a PhD, do you plan to go into academic medicine? Or would you rather do something non-research based?

Academic medicine here.

 

[QofQuimica]

From what I've heard, in order to be competive researchwise you have to devote 100% of your time to research. Most physician researchers I know don't see patients at all, or at most a half day of clinic a week. With the competition for funding, time commitments to run a lab, the need to publish, etc., you just don't have time to see patients.

I am volunteering on a clinical trial where the PI is an MD/PhD. He spends quite a bit of time seeing patients. In fact, I'd say his time is probably divided 80:20 the other way (patient care: research). But he can do that because he's a world expert on the disease he's studying, and some of his patients could ultimately end up joining the clinical trial. I think that what you said would be true for people who are doing research in the basic sciences (i.e., bench work). But for clinical research, it seems to meld together very nicely, at least in a case like this.

 

[CADreaming06]

I am volunteering on a clinical trial where the PI is an MD/PhD. He spends quite a bit of time seeing patients. In fact, I'd say his time is probably divided 80:20 the other way (patient care: research). But he can do that because he's a world expert on the disease he's studying, and some of his patients could ultimately end up joining the clinical trial. I think that what you said would be true for people who are doing research in the basic sciences (i.e., bench work). But for clinical research, it seems to meld together very nicely, at least in a case like this.

Hmm, thanks for the input - - I was imagining myself trying to do translational research. I really like basic science (genetic model organisms, etc), both in the way it asks questions, and the techniques that it uses. But, I haven't had any clinical research experience, so I may switch once I get more exposure. How much opportunity is there to do more collaborations rather than run your own lab if you want a position in an academic setting? (I could see myself running a small lab, but I am a grad student in a fairly large lab, and I know I don't want to be doing that - you could only do that full time, and I really want to be working with patients).

 

[Pewl]

Hmm, thanks for the input - - I was imagining myself trying to do translational research. I really like basic science (genetic model organisms, etc), both in the way it asks questions, and the techniques that it uses. But, I haven't had any clinical research experience, so I may switch once I get more exposure. How much opportunity is there to do more collaborations rather than run your own lab if you want a position in an academic setting? (I could see myself running a small lab, but I am a grad student in a fairly large lab, and I know I don't want to be doing that - you could only do that full time, and I really want to be working with patients).

I'm finishing up my MS in biomedical physics, with a specialty in rad onc/rad therapy. I personally plan to do mostly clinical stuff but my extensive work in the field of rads should give me a neck up should pursue radiology or radiation oncology. I hope to show adcoms and other directors that I can handle the physics and hard science portion of various rads fields.

 

[QofQuimica]

How much opportunity is there to do more collaborations rather than run your own lab if you want a position in an academic setting?

Well, this clinical trial has about fifteen co-investigators at half a dozen institutions in the US and Europe. So I'd say the collaboration opportunities are pretty good, at least in this case. 😉 Whether this applies to clinical research as a general rule, though, I don't know any more about than you do.