My reading comprehension is fine. Thanks doc. 😛
I'll take my 6 years of ICU/ER RN experience over random research any day. I'd rather spend my free time with my wife and baby. That is all, I mean no disrespect by saying that...
Didn't mean to complicate/hijack this thread OP.
sorry, I'm going to have to disagree with your thoughts on research - although I agree I'd rather be hanging out with my wife and kids over research and that most research has no clinical bearing; as well work experience is probably more important when all is said and done.
HOWEVER, currently research/publications are the hottest commodity among DO residencies as the ACGME merger begins. 95% of the latest rejections for ACGME accreditation sited inadequate "scholarly activity" as an area to resolve (source: discussed with our ACGME auditor and multiple PDs since my program is going through the process). AOA residencies are scrambling to build research framework (source: again we are working with multiple PDs and midwestern OPTI to do the same, and see one of my publications I worked on "Osteopathic graduate medical education: new research standards needed" The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, May 2014, Vol. 114, 336-339).
ACGME residencies have always emphasized research.
So how important is research. Very important, even if it's crickets in the congo because you can cite it as an experience during your interview process that taught design of research projects, statistical analysis, manuscript writing, etc etc.
Research can help PDs overlook a lower board score or other deficits in your application (i've been involved in resident selection for the last 4 years, I've seen research make a difference).
That being said, research can't cover up laziness, poor patient interaction skills, bad attitudes, etc -
So in the end - be the complete package which includes doing some research. Its actually easy to find projects in your field of interest (if you don't know what specialty you are interested in, who cares, do a project that seems interesting . I had 3 pediatric publications that helped me in the end match ortho). Residents are always interested in finding students to help. Also the majority of AOAO annual specialty conferences accept nearly every submitted poster. A lot of the students who rotate through our program end up publishing posters with us... which obviously is a huge boon for their acceptance into our residency.
Disclaimer - my own opinion