ID docs and research

[Mr hawkings]

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Does anyone know of any instances of Infectious Disease MDs that do basic science research that do NOT have a pHD in addition to the MD.

If so, do they work in a lab at the same institution where they practice or at a private lab.

 

[Blade28]

Not sure what you're asking here - are you thinking of a career in ID, but don't want to pursue a PhD?

If that's what you're asking, then yes, there are plenty of IM subspecialty attendings who work part-time clinically, spending the rest of their time in some PI's labs. Much easier to do this than in other fields (e.g. surgery, where you have to operate often to keep up your skills). A large majority of these attendings don't have PhDs.

Teaching attendings at a university hospital will likely work in a lab at their institution.

 

[Mr hawkings]

Not sure what you're asking here - are you thinking of a career in ID, but don't want to pursue a PhD?

If that's what you're asking, then yes, there are plenty of IM subspecialty attendings who work part-time clinically, spending the rest of their time in some PI's labs. Much easier to do this than in other fields (e.g. surgery, where you have to operate often to keep up your skills). A large majority of these attendings don't have PhDs.

Teaching attendings at a university hospital will likely work in a lab at their institution.

yeah, i am interested in a career in ID but i also want to do a significant amount of basic science research in microbiology to continue the work i am doing now. I just wanted to know if a could do itwithout going through the MD/PhD route.

 

[alpo]

There are plenty of ID folks who do basic science research without a PhD. If you are not planning on seeing pt's at all, the PhD may be helpful as you will be competing with MD/PhD's for grants. Many of the people I work with in my ID division who do basic science research without a PhD also do some clinical work, ie. attend on the wards for 4 weeks or so per year.

If you want to do research, go to an academic program that expects/requires you to do three years. Programs are only "required" to be 2 years long. In those programs, you will do clinical work for 2 years. At academic programs, you will do one year of intensive clinical work followed by 2 years of research. You will still have some clinical duties such as a continuity clinic, but will be primarily focused on research. Find a program that guarantees your funding for all three years and does not require you to find a grant for your third year.

Hope that helps.

 

[Mr hawkings]

There are plenty of ID folks who do basic science research without a PhD. If you are not planning on seeing pt's at all, the PhD may be helpful as you will be competing with MD/PhD's for grants. Many of the people I work with in my ID division who do basic science research without a PhD also do some clinical work, ie. attend on the wards for 4 weeks or so per year.

If you want to do research, go to an academic program that expects/requires you to do three years. Programs are only "required" to be 2 years long. In those programs, you will do clinical work for 2 years. At academic programs, you will do one year of intensive clinical work followed by 2 years of research. You will still have some clinical duties such as a continuity clinic, but will be primarily focused on research. Find a program that guarantees your funding for all three years and does not require you to find a grant for your third year.

Hope that helps.

Thanks a lot. You have no idea how long its taken me to find this information.
Whenever i ask physician, i get the standard "focus on getting into med school first" answer.
Thanks to both of you for your replies.

 

[Blade28]

Usually it's because they worry that you're already trying to plan for an ID fellowship, which is at least 7+ years away (assuming you're applying to med school now). Who knows what will happen between now and then?

In the end, you should relax knowing an MD/PhD track isn't mandatory for your career goals.

 

[gstrub]

The chair of our MD/PhD program, who is also the Associate Dean of Research, and the former chair of ID, is not MD/PhD...so yes.