Clinical Experience

[lococola]

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Hey all, long time lurker here. I'm going to be applying for MD/PhD this cycle, and wanted to gauge how much clinical experience is needed.

As it stands, I currently have ~ 50 clinical hours, 25 at a hospital ER and 25 shadowing across a few different specialties. I've got decent stats and research experience (3.8+, 520+, 3.5 years with a few abstracts, hopefully pub on the way), and I guess I'd always assumed that this would be enough for MD/PhD. However, as I've began reviewing my credentials in preparation for my application, I cant help but feel a little worried that my clinical hours seem rather insignificant in comparison to research. I do believe I can address why MD/PhD instead of PhD based off the experiences that I have, but I do worry about getting screened out before getting the opportunity to do so.

I guess this is sort of a chance thread, but also a question for those of you that have successfully gone through the process. How much clinical experience did you have at the time of your application? Did you feel there was a minimum baseline, or was it OK as long as you could address the clinical aspect through your essays and interview?

 

[TurtleGnome]

I had less than you. It’s fine. Had 8 offers to choose from. Never was brought up.

 

[HamiltonPineapples]

I had 10 or 15 hours shadowing and ~6 months in a group home for disabled adults. Not sure how one would consider the time in the group home translating to hospital hours. I also applied late (mid/late August) and only to 8 schools. 3 interviews, 1 acceptance, 1 waitlist. Similar stats to yours (3.9/518/3.5 years).

You will probably be fine. Two pieces of advice would be to speak with an MD/PhD who has completed training (and/or students in training) as that question comes up a lot and also apply early and broadly to maximize chances at interviews.

 

[moggat]

As long as one of those shadowing experiences was with a physician scientist (doesn't need to be an MDPhD per se) and you can demonstrate that you know what it's actually like, you should be fine

 

[s_med]

I did 80 hours and ended with multiple offers. If it'd been 50, I can't imagine it would have significantly impacted the outcome of my cycle.

speak with an MD/PhD who has completed training

I'd go one step further and try to shadow an MD/PhD. I did not and was asked about it no fewer than 4 times during interviews. Even a single afternoon's worth will allow you to give an affirmative answer to the question if/when it comes up.

 

[SonhosDaVida]

I did 80 hours and ended with multiple offers. If it'd been 50, I can't imagine it would have significantly impacted the outcome of my cycle.



I'd go one step further and try to shadow an MD/PhD. I did not and was asked about it no fewer than 4 times during interviews. Even a single afternoon's worth will allow you to give an affirmative answer to the question if/when it comes up.

Does the person i shadow have to be MDPhD in terms of degrees? I am shadowing a MD who also does research and runs his own Lab in addition to clinical work.

 

[s_med]

Does the person i shadow have to be MDPhD in terms of degrees? I am shadowing a MD who also does research and runs his own Lab in addition to clinical work.

It’s not like shadowing an MD/PhD is a requirement — making contact with a physician scientist of any educational background is a good idea. With your experience you can validly claim that you have shadowed a physician scientist, which is a good enough answer for interviews. I do still think it is useful to talk specifically to someone who has gone through the MD/PhD training process.

 

[HamiltonPineapples]

I agree with s_med. I was asked about experience shadowing physician-scientists and speaking with someone who has been through, or is familiar with the MD/PhD pathway specifically. No need to shadow an MD/PhD if you already shadowed a physician-scientist, but try and sit down with one. It's important to show the adcom that you have done your homework, know what you're getting into and are excited about it despite the length and rigor of the training (that extends beyond the 8 years in school into residency/fellowship/postdoc).

 

[Lucca]

I agree that meeting personally with a physician scientist is very helpful. I met several while I was at the NIH and while I didnt shadow any, it did help me reflect on my own plan.