Clinical vs Bench research

[thedrjojo]

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It is coming to the time in the 2nd/3rd year residents life when they start trying to search for a lab experience (if they are indeed, like myself, planning on going into the lab)... what are your guys thoughts on which type of research is A) more valuable B) more productive C) looked upon higher by fellowship applications... So far I met with our chief of transplant who does clinical / translational research and he has some interesting stuff in the pipelines (one where he is year 1 of a 3 year multicenter RCT, a couple feasibility/single center prospective trials, and a couple UNOS database projects) and, starting with myself or anyone coming to his lab from my year on, is going to require (and subsidize) getting an MPH while in lab... we also have some productive bench labs, although the one in particular I was interested in has some questionmarks surrounding it, it will likely be a productive 2 year experience... so I am not sure which way I want to go... I can envision myself much more likely to do clinical research and not bench research in my future career, so think that would likely be more useful, but question just how productive I will be in this lab...

 

[Buzz Me]

I'm all for the productive lab in an area that at least somewhat interests you. Get some publications, contacts (at meetings), abstracts, posters, presentations out of it.

 

[Lioness]

Do what interests you and what is most likely to be relevant to your future career - the more you enjoy the research the more productive you will be and the more passionately you will be able to discuss your work at meetings \ interviews \ etc. You can make either basic science or clinical work for a lot of different fellowships, as long as you make the most of your time.