Chances at Academic Program

[sportsem]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I'm an MD-PhD student finishing my PhD in Neurobiology (focussed on neurotrauma). Expected to go into Neurology, but through continuity clinics ending up thinking more seriously about EM for a variety of reasons.

I was just wondering what my chances were considering I'm restricting my choices given that many of the EM programs would not be a fit for me with my academic bent and interest in a basic science research career. I'd be interested in places like BIDMC, Stanford, Mayo, Pitt etc i.e. programs that have research fellowships or encourage basic science research. I'm thinking long-term about pursuing a fellowship in sports while applying for a K08, so thats the gestalt of the path I'd like to take.

- P/F nonclinicals. P in medicine, HP in surgery; H in rest of clinicals
- 230 Step 1
- PhD with 3 pubs (low-impact journals)

 

[Dane07MD]

You've got a CV which is plenty qualified for EM. Just make sure you elaborate in your personal statement why and how you found EM. Talk at your interviews about it too. Apply to big research centers and go for it. Sports medicine is not a bad option out of EM for a fellowship. Not sure of difference between the focus of EM sports medicine and what you might be interested in, but best to look into if they align before you make the ultimate decision.

 

[K31]

I'm a MD/PhD student applying to EM this year. You have an advantage in that your thesis project has a pretty clear connection to EM, whereas mine does not.

Anyhow, everyone I've spoken to has been very enthusiastic about MD/PhDs applying to EM. EM is a young field and still trying to establish its niche in academic centers, and research is a big part of that. If you are serious about having a large basic science program to your career, that should give you a significant leg up at the research-intensive programs you are interested in.

One caveat about EM though is that it is a specialty that is highly focused on clinical skills, and you can't count on your research to carry you if you are just OK clinically. In particular you need to excel in your EM clerkships to show you are more than just a researcher. That means scheduling your EM rotations for after you've been back in medical school for a while (because you will struggle a bit at first), but still early enough to get your SLORs in time for applications.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[jls34]

Is it possible for academic EM docs to run basic science labs? As far as I understood, the research that EM folks conducted was primarily clinical/quality improvement/policy/etc. If so, how is time split between clinical shifts and the lab?

 

[K31]

Absolutely they can run basic science labs. There aren't that many that actually do, which makes them all the more sought-after.

As for how they split their time between research and clinical duties, that is likely to vary as much as for any other specialty and is open for negotiation between the faculty member and the department. However, the inherent flexibility of EM in regards to time commitments could provide an advantage over other specialties--ie you wouldn't have to block off a month where you spend less time in lab because you have to round with your team twice a day.

 

[zinjanthropus]

Is it possible for academic EM docs to run basic science labs? As far as I understood, the research that EM folks conducted was primarily clinical/quality improvement/policy/etc. If so, how is time split between clinical shifts and the lab?

Yes, especially now that ACA and other recent policy shifts have carved out official NIH funding areas for EM

 

[iridesingltrack]

Absolutely they can run basic science labs. There aren't that many that actually do, which makes them all the more sought-after.

As for how they split their time between research and clinical duties, that is likely to vary as much as for any other specialty and is open for negotiation between the faculty member and the department. However, the inherent flexibility of EM in regards to time commitments could provide an advantage over other specialties--ie you wouldn't have to block off a month where you spend less time in lab because you have to round with your team twice a day.

Yup. Where I went to med school there was a TBI lab and where I did residency there are two clinical faculty with basic science labs: one in stroke and one in cardiovascular diseases. All three labs are NIH funded.

There is plenty of room for basic science in EM.