Do residencies care about non-science research pubs

[LJN Ltd.]

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Disclaimer: lowly premed here on gap years but this is regarding residency so I think this is the right place for it?

I'm applying this 2016 cycle during my 2nd gap year and deciding whether to pursue a research project in health law. It would build off of work I did in college and I know law/policy professors at a top law school who could mentor me. As awesome as this stuff is, there are other things I can do during alongside my current non-medicine job (which is related to the proposed topic of the research). Getting a law review pub is very doable in a year but if that's not going to pay any dividends besides personal fulfillment and won't help for med school/residency, then my decision calculus will change a little bit.

I have 0 interest in giving up my late 20s for an intensive specialty so I won't be gunning for those. Still undecided obviously, but let's say for IM residencies, does this kind of non-science health care-related research have any weight? It's not even quantitative ...just impressionistic theoretical stuff about law/policy.

 

[22031 Alum]

Get into medical school before you worry about what residencies will think. If I saw that on an ERAS application, it might make me think, "Interesting..." before I moved on to see what you did as a medical student. That goes for pre-med science publications, too.

 

[AlmostAnMD]

They also won't take you with an LJN avatar

 

[LJN Ltd.]

Get into medical school before you worry about what residencies will think. If I saw that on an ERAS application, it might make me think, "Interesting..." before I moved on to see what you did as a medical student. That goes for pre-med science publications, too.

I wouldn't hit it and quit it. Just wanted to see what the deal is with how non-science pubs are seen and if it would be disregarded. Medicine (and science at large) can be incredibly snobby and view "research" in many fields with disdain. If the research's significance hinges on continued performance in med school in the area, that is great news to me.

 

[LJN Ltd.]

They also won't take you with an LJN avatar

I think of myself as the Alien 3 of the LJNs.

 

[LJN Ltd.]

Ok so is the general idea that any kind of longitudinal research is looked favorably upon as long as there's continued involvement and productivity? Besides the obvious bias for basic science/clinical research, anything goes?

 

[Winged Scapula]

Disclaimer: lowly premed here on gap years but this is regarding residency so I think this is the right place for it?

Actually, we ask that your posts are placed in the forum where the most users will find it of interest/use. Therefore, since most residents will not fall into that category with your query, its best placed in the Pre-Med forums. There are many current and former residents who answer questions there.

 

[LJN Ltd.]

For my program, emphatic yes. Obviously any research you can do in our field while a med student is advantageous, since it shows commitment to the field and it's easier for us to discuss with you. However, any research is a big positive, especially since as a department we continue expanding our research capabilities and publications. We can and do take people who have no research experience or interest, but the proportion in that category has declined over the last 3-4 years.

Are you in medicine? Research-oriented school?

 

[NeuResurgens]

My short answer is that I think they would be happy to see extensive research experience of any kind, but would give more credence to an applicant who had extensive research experience in the specialty of the residency.

 

[LJN Ltd.]

Actually, we ask that your posts are placed in the forum where the most users will find it of interest/use. Therefore, since most residents will not fall into that category with your query, its best placed in the Pre-Med forums. There are many current and former residents who answer questions there.

Ah, I see. Sorry about that!

In other news – do you have any input re: my question? Much appreciated.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Ah, I see. Sorry about that!

In other news – do you have any input re: my question? Much appreciated.

My sense echoes that of others here:

- non medical science oriented research/publications are fine and perhaps even interesting when peripherally related
- longitudinal commitment >>> one off
- some research, even non-medical >>> none
- ostensibly the purpose of research is to teach you to be able to read studies and analyze them critically, not to bolster your application; however, we all understand the game that is being played.

 

[LJN Ltd.]

Good looks, this is awesome news. Thanks so much. Extremely settling to know that something I'm deeply interested in could pay some extra dividends.

 

[LJN Ltd.]

Setting aside that Alien 3 was not a good game.

So I just played this recently....and you are correct. Why did I think this **** was any good back in the day??? *faints*

I is embarrassed. Residents are still always right, it seems.