MD/PhD Question

[xroc]

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Hello, I have a question regarding the MD/PhD route.

I currently do neuroscience research and really interested in it, so I decided to apply to the MD/PhD program at my school. While I really enjoy my research, I am not certain whether I want to pursue a career as an MD in a related field (Neurology/Psych). While I have some interest in those fields, I'm aware that my interests might change down the road, so my question is whether it's even reasonable for MD/PhD's to pursue the PhD and MD degrees in two complete different areas? Is it possible to do neuroscience research while practicing as, say for example, an anesthesiologist?

Thanks for any input

 

[Fencer]

Is it possible to do neuroscience research while practicing as, say for example, an anesthesiologist?

Yes

Examples of Clinical Residencies for Neuroscience PhD
Neurology - adult or pediatric
Neuro Anesthesia
Neuro Infectious Disease
Neuro Oncology
Neuro Pathology
Neurophysiology
Neuro Radiology
Neuro Surgery - adult or pediatric
Psychiatry - adult or pediatric
Rehab Medicine - adult or pediatric

For some (oncology and ID), you could take the IM/Peds route with subspecialty and finally coming around into the field. One of my PhD classmates in Neuroscience became a regular Anesthesiologist, but he is no longer a clinician scientist. However, another PhD Neuroscience faculty was an Anesthesiologist doing GABAa research, and eventually became chair of Anesthesiology dept.

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

Hello, I have a question regarding the MD/PhD route.

I currently do neuroscience research and really interested in it, so I decided to apply to the MD/PhD program at my school. While I really enjoy my research, I am not certain whether I want to pursue a career as an MD in a related field (Neurology/Psych). While I have some interest in those fields, I'm aware that my interests might change down the road, so my question is whether it's even reasonable for MD/PhD's to pursue the PhD and MD degrees in two complete different areas? Is it possible to do neuroscience research while practicing as, say for example, an anesthesiologist?

Thanks for any input

Of course! Why not? Especially something like anesthesia where presumably you could study things like consciousness, memory and amnesia, ligand and voltage gated ion channels, and other concepts in neuroscience.

 

[Spacedman]

Hello, I have a question regarding the MD/PhD route.

I currently do neuroscience research and really interested in it, so I decided to apply to the MD/PhD program at my school. While I really enjoy my research, I am not certain whether I want to pursue a career as an MD in a related field (Neurology/Psych). While I have some interest in those fields, I'm aware that my interests might change down the road, so my question is whether it's even reasonable for MD/PhD's to pursue the PhD and MD degrees in two complete different areas? Is it possible to do neuroscience research while practicing as, say for example, an anesthesiologist?

Thanks for any input

Hi Xroc,
I'm an anesthesiology resident & a neurosci PhD, and I can tell you it certainly is possible if you want it. There are (obviously) pluses & minuses to anesthesia vs more traditional neuroscience related clinical disciplines (neuro/psych especially), but,on balance, better to be in a clinical field you enjoy. There will always be connections between your patients and your scientific interests - feel free to PM me for details.

Also, to spur your interest in the possibilities, here are some examples of MD/PhD neuroscientist anesthesiologists:

George Mashour

Max Kelz

Emery Brown

SM

 

[xroc]

Hi Xroc,
I'm an anesthesiology resident & a neurosci PhD, and I can tell you it certainly is possible if you want it. There are (obviously) pluses & minuses to anesthesia vs more traditional neuroscience related clinical disciplines (neuro/psych especially), but,on balance, better to be in a clinical field you enjoy. There will always be connections between your patients and your scientific interests - feel free to PM me for details.

Also, to spur your interest in the possibilities, here are some examples of MD/PhD neuroscientist anesthesiologists:

George Mashour

Max Kelz

Emery Brown

SM

Thank you so much 🙂

very insightful posts!