sorry i think i have to split my post into two parts
Summary:
I think there is a definite advantage for MD/PhDs over PhDs (that is, in getting the tenure, and in getting the tenure in the best departments) in research in biological sciences, particularly molecular/cellular biology and/or clincially relevant biology. It's harder to say whether the advantage is as strong if the candidate is pursuing PhD in organic chemistry or engineering related fields.
Now, let's compare MD/PhD with MD with regard of research.
IF money is No object, then i cannot see ANY advantage of doing MD/PhD over MD, except a possible integration of cirriculum that is somewhat cool but definitely not necessary.
(1) Suppose MDs spend the same amount of time doing research after one year of internship as a post-doc, they'll have exactly the same sort of experiences/track record as a PhD postdoc. Qualitatively the research an MD postdoc does is comparable to the research a PhD student does. But I think overall postdocs tend to be MORE productive because they have a much more compact schedule. This is ANOTHER reason why many prominent basic science researchers were MDs. A lot of biology is dumb luck--being a Phd student gives you time to be creative, but biology isn't necessarily about creative...a lot of times it's about doing this much experiments in this much time.
(2) MDs enjoy the same level of benefits MD/PhDs enjoy in clincially related resources.
(3) As I've said, personally I think (and I've come to the rather anti-intuitive conclusion that) the MD course cirriculum is a better training for basic research than most of the biosci Phd cirriculum.
Summary:
MD/PhD programs are essentially *pre-organized* MD+Post-doc programs with a bit more flexibility as well as financial renumeration. To get tenured, you need this much research this many papers, it doesn't matter where you did them or as what you've done it. In essence, Neuronix is RIGHT in saying that money is potentially the biggest advantage in this game. But there is also another he ignored, which is the amorphous *PhD experience*.
I've come to the conclusion that in order to get tenured as quickly as possible, the best pathway is the following:
lots of money to pay for the MD program at one of the *new cirriculum schools*
2 yrs of MD basic science + 1 yr clincial rotation + 1 yr research = MD
MD + 1 yr of internship + 2 yrs of postdoc = P.I. (tenure track assistant professor)
3+1+1+1+2=8 yrs
compare that to a regular PhD program
6 yrs =PhD + 3 yrs post doc = 9 yrs....most of time must do two postdocs before getting on the tenure track = 12 yrs.
or MD/PhD program
7 yrs = MD/PhD + 1 yr internship + 2 yr postdoc = 10 yrs (i've heard of md/phds getting PIs after 1 yr internship as well, or after residency without a postdoc) so that would be 8 yrs, equivalent to an MD
Summary of all summaries :
(1) MD pathway is the most expensive, demands the most self-decipline, but also the fastest (i.e. best suited for the most driven/best work ethics etc)
(2) MD/PhD pathway is probably the safest pathway and probably where the students have the most fun having BOTH MD and PhD experiences LOTS OF FUN!!!!! (and not to mention the spending money during MEDICAL SCHOOL doing nothing but studying cool **** and spending money) and it sounds best on paper (this could be an edge in getting dept chair/dean at a clincial dept in a second tier institution) LOTS OF FUN!!!!!
(3) PhD pathway is the most risky (if your research doesn't pan out, you basically have to look for a job in the industry which sucks most of the time), but is not limited to a specific set of research fields (indeed, in certain (unpopular) fields, i.e. chemistry, the tendency is to get on the tenure track immediately after a 5 yr phd + a 2-3 yr post-doc)...some fields are even FASTER (i.e. math, try Charles Fefferman, who was tenured at 21 and got the Field Medal at 25) PhD is for the mad wiz ultra super talented/creative, but not the most focused/driven.
sorry to write such a long response
but for me personally, i trust that my talent is such that which program i choose wouldn't matter in the end. so i picked the program in which i can have the most fun.
peace, btw, i'd love to hear your (harsh) opinions regarding my calculations