M2 Wants to Know: How to Get into Infectious Diseases?

[DBMD]

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Hi Everyone,

I'll be an M2 starting in August at a foreign medical school in Israel for International Health. I'm wondering what people recommend in terms of getting into ID and if someone is willing to take me on as a mentee. I spent so much time focusing on getting into medical school and then doing well this year that I haven't had time to research how to get into the "residency of my dreams." Ideally, I would like to end up doing clinical work along with public health research (do you recommend getting a masters?). Any advice would be helpful! Thanks! 😀

 

[piptaz]

If you are interested in public health research, an MPH would be very helpful. You should check with your medical school and see if they allow a combined MD-MPH. This is often done in-between M2 and M3 as the break between basic science and clinical medicine is a natural place to step away to pursue the masters. Public Health isn't only infectious diseases so make sure there is someone with whom you can do research on infectious diseases if that is really your interest. The MPH and the research you do will be helpful down the road when interviewing for ID fellowships.

 

[DBMD]

Thanks! Any more advice?

 

[sluggo]

Do a little microbiology research, and get an IM residency in the US, and you should be good to go!

 

[VanDiemen]

You should mainly focus on getting into the best IM program in the US that you can. Many Infectious disease fellowships give their fellows the option of getting a master's degree during the fellowship. I know that several academic centers have specific programs for fellows from all fields that want to take formal coursework in biostatistics and epidemiology.

 

[DBMD]

Do you have a list of programs that pay for your masters? Is there a website that lists this? Thanks!

 

[Reductio]

Do you have a list of programs that pay for your masters? Is there a website that lists this? Thanks!

I dont think there is any such list. When its time for you to think about where you want to do you fellowship, keep an eye out for this as you research the programs. You can also do the same when you're applying for residency - some programs give you partial or full tuition reimbursement. Rule of thumb - university programs are more likely to have an integrated masters program.

As for getting them to "pay for" your masters.... not all programs will reimburse your full tuition.

Another option - Preventative Medicine residency. After doing a prelim-medicine year, you do 2 years of Preventative. Many of these programs grant you an MPH by the time you're done. (You wouldn't be able to do ID fellowship afterwards though)

 

[absolutjag9]

i am an m2 in mexico that is hoping to enter IM with the intentions of doing an ID fellowship. how would you go about applying for IM programs-should I apply to places with good ID programs in addition to good IM ones? With respect to research, it's hard at my school to get involved with research for many reasons. This may sound like a dumb question but during IM residency will there be opportunities for any sort of research? I won't be matching for a few years because the program here is 4 years in mexico and 1 year in the us (a subinternship year). Any help is appreciated.

 

[gutonc]

i am an m2 in mexico that is hoping to enter IM with the intentions of doing an ID fellowship. how would you go about applying for IM programs-should I apply to places with good ID programs in addition to good IM ones? With respect to research, it's hard at my school to get involved with research for many reasons. This may sound like a dumb question but during IM residency will there be opportunities for any sort of research? I won't be matching for a few years because the program here is 4 years in mexico and 1 year in the us (a subinternship year). Any help is appreciated.

ID is not a difficult match, assuming you match decently for IM. So focus on getting into a good IM program and go from there.

There is usually time for research during residency, especially now that the fellowship application timeline has been extended. Although if you don't do your residency somewhere that has a strong academic ID (or basic science micro/immuno) program, you won't have many research opportunities so that may be something to keep in mind when applying.

 

[Substance]

Easy:

1. Eat a poop hotdog.

2. Lick a doorknob.

3. Prostitution.

...oh..you said into infectious diseases. Hmmm....

Gutonc's advice is spot on.

 

[Medikit]

Prior to fellowship, if you're interested in epidemiology and you're not tied down I would also consider working with the CDC through EIS, taking classes at the London school of hygiene and tropical medicine, or simply working abroad for a year or two with an organization such as doctors without borders.