Job opportunities for non-PhDs

[dak2006]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Sorry if this question has been covered already. I understand that path attracts many MD/PhDs by nature of it's work, but was curious what people's impressions are regarding job opportunities for MD only candidates, either in Academia or private practice. I come from a "top ten" med school with a sufficiently strong application and am just curious if people perceive a lack of a PhD to be a major barrier to having a competitive career. Thanks.

 

[Doctor B.]

Just having an MD is not a major barrier to having a competitive career. Very few residents and staff at my program have PhDs. The well-published experts on staff here are MDs only. And these are guys who have written chapters in major texts, written fasicles and participated in WHO classifications. So no worries, you'll do fine with an MD only.

 

[yaah]

The fact that you come from a "top ten" med school will be basically irrelevant when it comes time to find a job. People will be more concerned with where you did your residency, and even more importantly, how you performed there.

There really aren't THAT many combined degree folks out there. Certainly not enough to fill all the jobs (or even all the good jobs). I honestly doubt whether, when looking to fill a position, department heads (or the equivalent) are that impressed by combined degrees in and of themselves. It is the candidate that impresses, and frankly, combined degree folks often have impressive credentials. You should not be limited at all in having "just" an MD. Department chairs at most of the well known places are MD only. A lot of times, combined degree folks end up pursuing research as a focus for their career. People with MD degrees are hired all the time over people with combined degrees.