Going into research: DO v. FMG?

[Goethe87]

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Hey all,

I wanted to know if anyone had any knowledge about which route is best for someone pursuing a career in medical research: DO or IMG?

I currently work at a research institute, and would like to someday do something similar as a physician. At my job, there are no DOs, which makes me think that there is a stigma against DO in research (in my very limited experience). Any truth to this?

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks ahead of time.😳

 

[zma21]

I have no authority or experience in this area, but the Physician Researchers I've met through my job have all been MD/PhD's.

That being said, there are DO/PhD programs available. I'm not too sure of any foreign MD/PhD programs...and I'm almost certain the Caribbean does not have one. I assume Caribbean because that's usually the first foreign route for US students. I wouldn't roll the dice on carib schools unless you can go for practically free...and you don't gain acceptance anywhere else.

 

[SpecterGT260]

do you plan on being a physician scientist or a researcher who happens to have a medical degree?

you can do research without a PhD. there is a ton of lab space and NIH money available for physicians without PhD's. that said, my experience is also with MD PI's... I have not seen many DO's but I am unaware of anything barring them if they are faculty at the hospital. the lab space is under the control of the department typically..... if NIH has a beef that would be something I am unaware of.

 

[Goethe87]

Thanks for the replies guys.

In my experience, I have seen predominately MDs, a few MD/PhDs (they are relatively rare anyway), and some PhDs. However, there is some research that PhDs would have a harder time getting funding for, or may have to collaborate with an MD to do. Also a PhD could never fall back on a career in clinical medicine.

I was just wondering if the relative absence of DOs was something unspoken about MD v DO in research. Does the degree matter, when it comes to a research setting?

A note about DO/PhD... I've looked at several programs and theres really only about 1 or 2 that offer a joint PhD in anything not strictly medicine related (I think there is a DO/PhD for basic medical sciences, I think that would mean you want to end up teaching medicine?)

 

[whatbout2morrow]

The only foreign MD/PhD program I know of is the Duke-National University of Singapore program. I don't know if you must commit to staying in Singapore for 5 years as in the case of the Duke-NUS MD program.

I don't know if there are many foreign MD programs which provide research opportunities. Caribbean schools definitely do not.

Take a look at the website for the DO/PhD program at TCOM. In any case, doing your MD abroad and then a PhD in the US/abroad would definitely take longer than doing a DO/PhD program here in the US.

 

[LesBois88]

It's not so much that there is a bias against DO's in the world of research, but rather that the DO education system doesn't really encourage it, and applicants interested in a lifetime of research chose other educational paths (MD, MD/PhD, PhD).
This applies more to bench research than clinical, but the point is generally the same for both.

 

[poopyhead]

The following DO schools offer joint DO/PhD programs in biomedical sciences (i.e. to prepare students for academic research):

TCOM (MSTP)
OSU-COM (requires GRE?)
OU-COM (requires GRE?)
MSU-COM (requires GRE?)
UMDNJ-SOM (doesn't require GRE)

Notice a pattern here 🙄


There are a few other DO schools that offer DO/PhD in health policy/global health.

 

[HockeyDr09]

LECOM-E just purchased a HUGE research facility (with government contracts) that happens to be directly next to our school.

http://lecom.edu/index.php/lecom-property-acquisition-helps-local-company-preserve-erie-jobs/76/0/1919/22030

http://www.lord.com/

I know that the school wants to get more involved with research, and this is a huge opportunity to expand their program. The building they purchased already has massive laboratories in place. I wouldn't be surprised if in a few years they added a D.O/Phd by using the new facilities.

 

[Instatewaiter]

Hey all,

I wanted to know if anyone had any knowledge about which route is best for someone pursuing a career in medical research: DO or IMG?

I currently work at a research institute, and would like to someday do something similar as a physician. At my job, there are no DOs, which makes me think that there is a stigma against DO in research (in my very limited experience). Any truth to this?

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks ahead of time.😳

There are a few questions which will determine which would be better:
1) Are we talking Carribean or something more presigious like UK, Germany etc.

2) What kind of research are we taking about.

In the end, I think you are going to be best served going DO unless you are looking at UK or western European programs. .

 

[Goro]

The rationale for your observation is that fewer DOs go into research is simply because they wish to practice medicine. There is no bias. there are plenty of PhDs who do clinical research; I'm one of them.

It IS somewhat easier for clinical faculty to get funding, however. if you're worried about it from the PhD perspective, all you need to do is find some willing clincial collaborators, and that's pretty easy.

Thanks for the replies guys.

In my experience, I have seen predominately MDs, a few MD/PhDs (they are relatively rare anyway), and some PhDs. However, there is some research that PhDs would have a harder time getting funding for, or may have to collaborate with an MD to do. Also a PhD could never fall back on a career in clinical medicine.

I was just wondering if the relative absence of DOs was something unspoken about MD v DO in research. Does the degree matter, when it comes to a research setting?

A note about DO/PhD... I've looked at several programs and theres really only about 1 or 2 that offer a joint PhD in anything not strictly medicine related (I think there is a DO/PhD for basic medical sciences, I think that would mean you want to end up teaching medicine?)