Finding Summer Clinical Research?

[QsDO]

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DO school in the midwest with only basic science research.

How can I find and connect with clinical researchers at other institutions? Would MD schools take a DO student for research? Do I look at other med schools, or independent researchers in hospitals (if they exist)? What would I even include in my email? Just a semester under my belt with no connections, and no CV material besides stuff from undergrad.

Thanks for your time!

 

[Wjldenver]

DO school in the midwest with only basic science research.

How can I find and connect with clinical researchers at other institutions? Would MD schools take a DO student for research? Do I look at other med schools, or independent researchers in hospitals (if they exist)? What would I even include in my email? Just a semester under my belt with no connections, and no CV material besides stuff from undergrad.

Thanks for your time!

Look into the NIH and CDC summer research programs. Yes MD programs take DO students for summer research opportunities, but I've only seen that accomplished through connections. Try to make some connections because all of the summer research opportunities I have seen are highly competitive.

 

[QsDO]

Any resources to comb through to look for non-competitive opportunities? Wouldn't even mind if it didn't come with a stipend, just want to be productive.

 

[AlteredScale]

Any resources to comb through to look for non-competitive opportunities? Wouldn't even mind if it didn't come with a stipend, just want to be productive.

Alot of formal research opps paid or not are pretty competitive. Your best bet is to reach out to faculty at university or steong community teaching hospitals and ask to assist with research, specifically case reports or retro analysis.


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[QsDO]

Thanks for your help! Are there certain projects conducive to short time periods such as those you mentioned (case studies, etc.)? I've heard of some students able to pump out a few publications within a month or two.

Due to OMM, our summer break is less than two months and a lot of programs don't match with our summer dates.

 

[hbslax4]

Thanks for your help! Are there certain projects conducive to short time periods such as those you mentioned (case studies, etc.)? I've heard of some students able to pump out a few publications within a month or two.

Due to OMM, our summer break is less than two months and a lot of programs don't match with our summer dates.

It's possible to get multiple publications through a summer internship. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis are probably the most time efficient. Hard part is just finding faculty/department willing to guide you through the process. Like other said, reach out to different departments at local MD schools to see if they have any opportunities. I'd also look into larger hospital systems that don't have a medical school affiliated with them. They might still have research opportunities. Worst thing that can happen is they say no.


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[IslandStyle808]

It's possible to get multiple publications through a summer internship. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis are probably the most time efficient. Hard part is just finding faculty/department willing to guide you through the process. Like other said, reach out to different departments at local MD schools to see if they have any opportunities. I'd also look into larger hospital systems that don't have a medical school affiliated with them. They might still have research opportunities. Worst thing that can happen is they say no.


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Its pretty much the route I am going with currently. With review articles, you can pretty much move at your own pace. If you don't mind me asking, how many review articles (systematic reviews or meta analysis) did your tackle on during the summer? I just want a gauge at how much I should do.

 

[hbslax4]

Its pretty much the route I am going with currently. With review articles, you can pretty much move at your own pace. If you don't mind me asking, how many review articles (systematic reviews or meta analysis) did your tackle on during the summer? I just want a gauge at how much I should do.

In my 6 week summer I completed two (where I was first author) and one more where I am third author (just did some of the analysis but not the write up). One just got accepted for publications and the other two are pending. I also started another review during the last few days of summer which I have been slowly working on during my free time.


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[IslandStyle808]

In my 6 week summer I completed two (where I was first author) and one more where I am third author (just did some of the analysis but not the write up). One just got accepted for publications and the other two are pending. I also started another review during the last few days of summer which I have been slowly working on during my free time.


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Wow. That's amazing! Congrats on your publications.

 

[QsDO]

So in regards to cold-calling; did you guys have luck emailing or calling? Include a CV or no? I'm an MS1 and have done nothing besides schoolwork, should I include undergrad activities? When contacting MD schools, it's a matter of luck, but I'm guessing DO letters are at a disadvantage there as well.

 

[hbslax4]

Wow. That's amazing! Congrats on your publications.

Thanks. I had some great guidance; it makes I huge difference, especially since I had never been involved in research before. How is your work going?


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[IslandStyle808]

Thanks. I had some great guidance; it makes I huge difference, especially since I had never been involved in research before. How is your work going?


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Just looking for an advisor/PI currently for the review article. Not sure what type of research I want to do in the summer. Was your PI a faculty member at your school or outside your institution?

 

[hbslax4]

Just looking for an advisor/PI currently for the review article. Not sure what type of research I want to do in the summer. Was your PI a faculty member at your school or outside your institution?

Mine was outside of my institution. Are you a OMS1?


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[hbslax4]

So in regards to cold-calling; did you guys have luck emailing or calling? Include a CV or no? I'm an MS1 and have done nothing besides schoolwork, should I include undergrad activities? When contacting MD schools, it's a matter of luck, but I'm guessing DO letters are at a disadvantage there as well.

In my circumstance I had a connection so that really helped. My initial thought is that a LOR probably isn't needed. I would have a CV ready in case they ask. Just make sure you come across as willing to work hard and interested in learning the process (but not overly enthusiastic/annoying). I think as far as trying to get a gig at an outside institution, if they reject you it's probably because the don't have a need or limit opportunities to their own students.

Hopefully someone else can give you a little more concrete advise.


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[IslandStyle808]

Mine was outside of my institution. Are you a OMS1?


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Yep. What is usually the best way to go about this? Do you have faculty that connect you to a PI outside your institution or are you searching yourself?

 

[hbslax4]

Yep. What is usually the best way to go about this? Do you have faculty that connect you to a PI outside your institution or are you searching yourself?

He was a physician I had a past relationship with so that helped. I'd try meeting with faculty at your school (do you have a faculty member in charge of research?) and hopefully they can connect you with someone in your community. I'd also just ask faculty members in the specialty relevant to your paper. I'd look to find a faculty member who has been involved in research. Don't forget to see if your PhD faculty have done research in that area too, as it's likely that your PhD faculty have more research experience than a lot of the clinical DO faculty.


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[hbslax4]

Yep. What is usually the best way to go about this? Do you have faculty that connect you to a PI outside your institution or are you searching yourself?

He was a physician I had a past relationship with so that helped. I'd try meeting with faculty at your school (do you have a faculty member in charge of research?) and hopefully they can connect you with someone in your community. I'd also just ask faculty members in the specialty relevant to your paper. I'd look to find a faculty member who has been involved in research. Don't forget to see if your PhD faculty have done research in that area too, as it's likely that your PhD faculty have more research experience than a lot of the clinical DO faculty.


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[IslandStyle808]

He was a physician I had a past relationship with so that helped. I'd try meeting with faculty at your school (do you have a faculty member in charge of research?) and hopefully they can connect you with someone in your community. I'd also just ask faculty members in the specialty relevant to your paper. I'd look to find a faculty member who has been involved in research. Don't forget to see if your PhD faculty have done research in that area too, as it's likely that your PhD faculty have more research experience than a lot of the clinical DO faculty.


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Been meeting with several faculty members to see who I should work with. There are a couple of faculty members that my advisor suggested I work with who are a good fit for the review article, but am yet to contact them. Hopefully they are able to over look the project. Your right about PhD faculty being better equipped at handling research projects.

Did any of your classmates apply for summer research fellowships and were they successful in landing them? Thanks for the advice!

 

[hbslax4]

Been meeting with several faculty members to see who I should work with. There are a couple of faculty members that my advisor suggested I work with who are a good fit for the review article, but am yet to contact them. Hopefully they are able to over look the project. Your right about PhD faculty being better equipped at handling research projects.

Did any of your classmates apply for summer research fellowships and were they successful in landing them? Thanks for the advice!

I'm not sure about the research fellowship. I have not heard of anyone doing that; however, I'm also not in the know about what's going on with a lot of my classmates ha. I would imagine that because of my schools shorter than normal summer, it wouldnt have worked out as most of the fellowships seem to be around 8+ weeks. The ones I know who got involved in research seemed to do something similar to me and just got involved with someone in the community or at local MD program doing research.


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[IslandStyle808]

I'm not sure about the research fellowship. I have not heard of anyone doing that; however, I'm also not in the know about what's going on with a lot of my classmates ha. I would imagine that because of my schools shorter than normal summer, it wouldnt have worked out as most of the fellowships seem to be around 8+ weeks. The ones I know who got involved in research seemed to do something similar to me and just got involved with someone in the community or at local MD program doing research.


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My summer seems to be around 10 weeks or so. So hopefully I will be able to land something this summer. Thanks for all your help!

 

[hbslax4]

My summer seems to be around 10 weeks or so. So hopefully I will be able to land something this summer. Thanks for all your help!

No problem. PM me if you ever have any more questions.


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[QsDO]

Yup, I'm an OMS1. I'll just have my undergrad CV ready with relevant classes that I've taken in med school thus far.

Guess I'll cold-email PIs at nearby hospitals and MD schools and wish for the best!

Thanks for the advice!

 

[FistLength]

I did research my first summer. I emailed many, many people, was either not responded to or graciously declined. I eventually went through a guest lecturer at my school, he referred me to another hospital about an hour away. Turned out to be one of the best educational experiences I have had, and I got paid very well(although this is pretty rare).

I would shy away from basic research and focus on clinical. Basic takes too long and unless you already have solid skills you won't be competent in them in 2 months. Case studies are near worthless but better than nothing. If you have guest lecturers at your school that are associated with academic institutions (even community hospitals) they probably know of stuff going on or have connections. Otherwise, emailing around, emphasizing you can support yourself (do not need funding) will eventually land you something.

 

[QsDO]

Thanks, I'll try this route!

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Thanks, I'll try this route!

Finding research opportunities while attending a D.O. school is a pain in the a**. The way I found two opportunities is by emailing the PI's at the school/department that I was interested in at the nearby M.D. school. For example, I wanted to do research in surgery, so I went to the faculty page of the department I was interested in on that M.D. school's website and emailed almost all of the faculty on that list that had published in the last two years. Out of about ten emails sent, I received three offers back.

You have to REALLY put in a lot of effort to get research though as a D.O. student. It won't just be handed to you like it is for many M.D. students. By "handed to you" I mean it is much easier to connect with faculty if you are at an M.D. school because everything is so connected and close. You won't have as much red tape to cross either. Good luck!


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[IslandStyle808]

Finding research opportunities while attending a D.O. school is a pain in the a**. The way I found two opportunities is by emailing the PI's at the school/department that I was interested in at the nearby M.D. school. For example, I wanted to do research in surgery, so I went to the faculty page of the department I was interested in on that M.D. school's website and emailed almost all of the faculty on that list that had published in the last two years. Out of about ten emails sent, I received three offers back.

You have to REALLY put in a lot of effort to get research though as a D.O. student. It won't just be handed to you like it is for many M.D. students. By "handed to you" I mean it is much easier to connect with faculty if you are at an M.D. school because everything is so connected and close. You won't have as much red tape to cross either. Good luck!


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Compare that to being a post-bacc student trying to find research. Had to email 25 people, and only 3 people even look at me (they weren't offers either). Your situation still sucks, but if it means I only have to send 10 emails to get 1 offer, being a medical student is better (there were a couple of PIs who wouldn't take me because I wasn't a medical student).

 

[QsDO]

Finding research opportunities while attending a D.O. school is a pain in the a**. The way I found two opportunities is by emailing the PI's at the school/department that I was interested in at the nearby M.D. school. For example, I wanted to do research in surgery, so I went to the faculty page of the department I was interested in on that M.D. school's website and emailed almost all of the faculty on that list that had published in the last two years. Out of about ten emails sent, I received three offers back.

You have to REALLY put in a lot of effort to get research though as a D.O. student. It won't just be handed to you like it is for many M.D. students. By "handed to you" I mean it is much easier to connect with faculty if you are at an M.D. school because everything is so connected and close. You won't have as much red tape to cross either. Good luck!


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If you don't mind me asking, did you include a CV and was it stuff from undergrad that you had done? Thanks!

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

If you don't mind me asking, did you include a CV and was it stuff from undergrad that you had done? Thanks!

I did include a CV, but to be honest, I would categorize myself as having "no research experience."

What I did in undergrad had absolutely zero significance haha


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[QsDO]

You mentioned schools near your DO school. Did you continue the research throughout the school year? There are no accompanying MD schools in my city so the most I could do is during the summer.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

You mentioned schools near your DO school. Did you continue the research throughout the school year? There are no accompanying MD schools in my city so the most I could do is during the summer.

I am a second year medical student and am just now starting my research project, so yes I will be working on it during the school year.


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