Can I be an academic surgeon by doing only clinical research?

[ArrogantSurgeon]

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My interest lies in both surgery and clinical research pertaining to surgical outcomes.

My question is whether it is enough to perform and publish only clinical research if I want to have an academic career? Must I also publish basic science research if I want to get a tenure-track position after residency/fellowship??

 

[Neuronix]

You could be a purely clinical person your entire life and have a very successful career in academia. MSTP is geared towards basic science, yes, but there's also nothing that says you can't apply that knowledge to clinical/translational research. There's a number of us around here that want to be surgeons. I think that basic science research will be helpful for our careers, but there's nothing that says you have to do basic science research.

From your questions, I would advise that you go the MD-only route. Even if you see the PhD as a means to an end, it will be very difficult to keep up bench research for several years if you really don't want to be doing it. There are other options for you in medical school to gain experience either in basic science research or clinical research that will be valuable for residency matching.

 

[pathdr2b]

Originally posted by Neuronix
[BFrom your questions, I would advise that you go the MD-only route. [/B]

To suggets that someone that only wants to do mainly clinical research( like myself) forgo the PhD and get the MD only is utterly ridiculous.

The bottom line that for anyone that wants a career in medicine combined with research, either basic science or clinical, MD/PhD is the best career option.

To the OP, surgical outcomes sounds a lot like epidemiology and in this field, places like Hopkins, Penn and Harvard are schools that have MD students getting PhD's in areas like epidemiology. Good Luck!

 

[ArrogantSurgeon]

How about an M.S. degree? My school offers a program where you can get an M.S. degree in 1-2 years by doing research with a clinical department of your choice and writing a thesis.

How much does an M.D./M.S. degree help in the academic world? Is it any better than an M.D. degree alone? Thanks.

 

[Neuronix]

It's good that I post on public forums, anytime I make a mistake it's promptly pointed out.

There are a few MD/PhD programs that allow you to get a PhD in a clinical department like epidemiology. It is possible, but unlikely, that you would be able to secure funding for the MD portion. If this appeals to you, I'd encourage you to go for it.

I think a MD/MS program in epidemiology would work great. Many schools offer that option, sometimes under the heading of "Clinical Scientist Training Program". The new Cleveland Clinic medical school class will have this goal in a 5 year program. With the extra year at Duke, many students do clinical research, gaining their master's or MPH in 4 - 5 years.

To suggets that someone that only wants to do mainly clinical research( like myself) forgo the PhD and get the MD only is utterly ridiculous.

MSTP is geared towards basic science, yes, but there's also nothing that says you can't apply that knowledge to clinical/translational research.

Perhaps I should have made a better distinction there. The MSTP was created for a basic science PhD. There's nothing that says you can't do a MD/PhD in a clinical science department. I still wonder how much a PhD would serve the op and this is why I suggest beginning a MD program.