MD & Research Honors

[blazinfury]

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I have heard a lot of ppl say that an individual w/ an MD degree could do just as much research as one with an MD/PhD, while having a flexible schedule and incurring less stress (if they do not own a lab and just help out in a lab). Is this a feasible professional career or is a Master's in Research necessary?

If so, are there any MD w/ Research Specialization/Honors programs in med schools? I know that Case Western has an MD/MS.

Will an applicant be hurt at an interview if say he has 5 yrs of bench research experience, yet he applies MD, but he says that he wants do something with research in the future. Is there a viable justification for not doing MD/PhD yet that person devoted that much time to research because he or she found it interesting? I mean won't adcoms feel that this shows a lack of focus or the person is being lazy.

 

[dl2dp2]

I have heard a lot of ppl say that an individual w/ an MD degree could do just as much research as one with an MD/PhD, while having a flexible schedule and incurring less stress (if they do not own a lab and just help out in a lab). Is this a feasible professional career or is a Master's in Research necessary?

Yes, it's feasible. Master's is unnecessary and not useful (unless you like MPH-type research.)

If so, are there any MD w/ Research Specialization/Honors programs in med schools? I know that Case Western has an MD/MS.

Are you talking about bench research? The best programs are Doris Duke and NIH's "Cloister" program.

Will an applicant be hurt at an interview if say he has 5 yrs of bench research experience, yet he applies MD, but he says that he wants do something with research in the future. Is there a viable justification for not doing MD/PhD yet that person devoted that much time to research because he or she found it interesting? I mean won't adcoms feel that this shows a lack of focus or the person is being lazy.

I think when you are a applicant you are young and sorta jittery. Now on the other side you realize what kind of things you can do to make yourself sound better. The truth is there's no consistent "requirement". What is good is a theme--a vision, if you will--of what you will eventually accomplish. You are demonstrating two things
(1) I'm qualified to be at your medical school (MCAT, GPA, experience...)
(2) You school is good for my career path (academic medicine with a research bent)

If you can make your story sound good then it's ok to say anything. Think of it in terms of marketing project, not taking an exam and getting the questions right.

 

[RxnMan]

I have heard a lot of ppl say that an individual w/ an MD degree could do just as much research as one with an MD/PhD, while having a flexible schedule and incurring less stress (if they do not own a lab and just help out in a lab)...

There's different views. I have an MS, and I'll have an MD, but I still think I'll need some more training in research before I'm able to go solo or be a real asset to a lab (clinical or basic).

It also depends if you want to be in the captain's seat. I personally don't think I want to manage the day-to-day operations of a lab, and I could probably be fine with collaborating with a PhD who had more time for that. But not everyone is like that - some want the full freedom to pursue their own ideas...

...Is this a feasible professional career or is a Master's in Research necessary?...

No, you can get a lot of what you need through a research fellowship after residency. Some will allow you to get a masters then, or even a PhD. Some surgical residencies require a research year, and I've heard of folks taking two in order to earn another degree.

...If so, are there any MD w/ Research Specialization/Honors programs in med schools? I know that Case Western has an MD/MS...

Yes, there are. My school has one, and I'm in it right now. Lots of schools will call them MD + research honors, or MD + research distinction, or similar names. Just Google it.

...Will an applicant be hurt at an interview if say he has 5 yrs of bench research experience, yet he applies MD, but he says that he wants do something with research in the future...

Uh, I had more years than that in experience when I applied, and it didn't hurt me. I don't know how it could.

...Is there a viable justification for not doing MD/PhD yet that person devoted that much time to research because he or she found it interesting? I mean won't adcoms feel that this shows a lack of focus or the person is being lazy.

🙄 I decided not to go PhD, in part because I couldn't stand to be a grad student again and have my fate be at the mercy of a committee who may be motivated to keep me in grad school longer than needed because I am a good student, productive, or cheaper than hiring another lab tech. Or be at the mercy of funding issues. Or write another stinking thesis.

I think those are all viable reasons.

And going for one degree actually shows focus, not a lack thereof.