Does prior career in research matter to program directors

[timsk]

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Sorry for yet another research post, but instead of hijacking someone else's thread, i thought i'd start my own.

I am a non-trad incoming M1 who has been working in clinical research for the past 9 years. I have two publications at the moment, with at least one more guaranteed, and likely several others by the time I need to think about applying to residencies. The labs I have worked in are psychology research labs focused on improving clinical outcomes through increasing the use of evidence based practices.

I know many have suggested not viewing research as a box to check on your residency application and more as an opportunity to truly take part in a project that is meaningful to them and that will help them better understand the research process. I know others have also said that, except for the most competitive specialties, most program directors just want to see your involvement in some research, not necessarily research that is in the field you will be applying to.

After 9 years of research, i feel that i am quite familiar with the research process, difficulties with successful execution of research, and the relationships and interdisciplinary approach that is often required. And honestly, i'm simply excited to (temporarily) leave the world of research and immerse myself in school, medicine, and clinical work.

So my question is this. Given my extensive experience with clinical research obtained after undergrad, albeit in the domain of clinical psychology, will program directors expect me to pursue additional research while in medical school? Or does my experience meet their desire to see applicants familiar and immersed in research, thus allowing me to forego additional research while in medical school?

FWIW, i certainly want research to continue to be a focus of my work, but i would rather enjoy taking a break from research after these past 9 years and not having to be involved in it during M1 and M2.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

 

[WheezyBaby]

A fair portion will probably consider it a positive, yes. That will likely be diminished somewhat if you don't demonstrate an ongoing desire to be a productive researcher by continuing research during med school. Is what it is

 

[masaraksh]

Sounds like you need to reevaluate how you define 'career'

You worked a 'job' that basically requires no qualifications (BA/BS that literally everyone has) for nine years and in that time you made what was it? 3 papers??

I'm sure this will check off a research and publications mark for PDs but don't kid yourself and call this a career.

 

[andrek82]

Sounds like you need to reevaluate how you define 'career'

You worked a 'job' that basically requires no qualifications (BA/BS that literally everyone has) for nine years and in that time you made what was it? 3 papers??

I'm sure this will check off a research and publications mark for PDs but don't kid yourself and call this a career.

I don't have a clear answer for OP other than my own experience. Depending on your eventual residency, it may or may not matter. I spent several years in drug r&d, and the interest was really program specific.

I really wanted to address the quoted response above, because it addresses a common misconception about industry. Publications are very much company-dependent. My employers refused all publication requests for almost a decade while they went through the preclinical phase for a couple promising candidates. It was only after Phase 1 was finished that publications started again. This is a common issue - just look at clinicaltrials.gov and try to find results on half of those listed trials. Just because the OP didn't get much chance to publish doesn't invalidate the extremely useful experience, and most researchers know this. As one last sidenote, I think any job experience of 9 years qualifies as a career. One in 3 American 25 to 29 year olds have a bachelor's, and 8% have a master's or higher. I think that slightly more than 8% of the population has a career.

 

[Affiche]

Sounds like you need to reevaluate how you define 'career'

You worked a 'job' that basically requires no qualifications (BA/BS that literally everyone has) for nine years and in that time you made what was it? 3 papers??

I'm sure this will check off a research and publications mark for PDs but don't kid yourself and call this a career.

Do you know anything about educational attainment in the US? If you're going to make a snobby statement at least make one that's semi-correct. Your post is insulting to everyone who has worked their asses off to provide despite lacking a terminal degree, including the parents of just about every kid who didn't grow up at the top end of the socioeconomic spectrum.

Also, you clearly don't know much about clinical research careers if you think the only requirement is a BS/BA degree. Maybe I should have tried to sell that to SOCRA the last time I had to renew my certification LOL.

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

Sounds like you need to reevaluate how you define 'career'

You worked a 'job' that basically requires no qualifications (BA/BS that literally everyone has) for nine years and in that time you made what was it? 3 papers??

I'm sure this will check off a research and publications mark for PDs but don't kid yourself and call this a career.

First of all, "literally everyone" does not have a bachelor's degree. "Literally everyone" doesn't have significant exposure to clinical research before starting medical school, let alone 9 years of experience and several published papers. So get off your high horse. I don't know what @timsk's position was but as someone who has been working as a clinical research assistant/project coordinator for the past 5 years, I can tell you that research does not happen without people like us. Who do you think drafts the manuscripts, writes the protocols, manages the data, and makes sure that everything complies with IRB standards? Whether it's a "career" or not, however you want to define that, it's tremendously important work. Will PDs recognize this later on down the road, maybe yes maybe no but it's blatantly offensive to look down on people who do the majority of the day to day work that makes it possible for physicians and scientists to publish and advance their careers.

 

[masaraksh]

First of all, "literally everyone" does not have a bachelor's degree. "Literally everyone" doesn't have significant exposure to clinical research before starting medical school, let alone 9 years of experience and several published papers. So get off your high horse. I don't know what @timsk's position was but as someone who has been working as a clinical research assistant/project coordinator for the past 5 years, I can tell you that research does not happen without people like us. Who do you think drafts the manuscripts, writes the protocols, manages the data, and makes sure that everything complies with IRB standards? Whether it's a "career" or not, however you want to define that, it's tremendously important work. Will PDs recognize this later on down the road, maybe yes maybe no but it's blatantly offensive to look down on people who do the majority of the day to day work that makes it possible for physicians and scientists to publish and advance their careers.

Yeah and our offices and ORs would be stacked high with shyt without janitors. Doesn't make being a janitor a 'career'... Even if you do it for 9 years.

Actually, I have worked as a research assistant, I just don't kid myself that that was a career.

 

[masaraksh]

Do you know anything about educational attainment in the US? If you're going to make a snobby statement at least make one that's semi-correct. Your post is insulting to everyone who has worked their asses off to provide despite lacking a terminal degree, including the parents of just about every kid who didn't grow up at the top end of the socioeconomic spectrum.

Also, you clearly don't know much about clinical research careers if you think the only requirement is a BS/BA degree. Maybe I should have tried to sell that to SOCRA the last time I had to renew my certification LOL.

No some days in clinic help me see the lack of educational attainment in America.

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

Yeah and our offices and ORs would be stacked high with shyt without janitors. Doesn't make being a janitor a 'career'... Even if you do it for 9 years.

Actually, I have worked as a research assistant, I just don't kid myself that that was a career.

Please, keep going. You play the part of the self-righteous, pretentious, jaded doctor really well.

 

[Merely]

No some days in clinic help me see the lack of educational attainment in America.

Stop embarrassing yourself please

 

[Affiche]

Please, keep going. You play the part of the self-righteous, pretentious, jaded doctor really well.

Look at his post history...it's filled with obnoxious and useless postings.

Just ignore his foolishness. That's the what the rest of us are doing.