Medical School Research
Started by DrMaximus
If you're planning on pursuing a difficult specialty (derm, rad, etc) research is highly recommended from what I've heard. I don't have the exact percentage, but something like 90% of medical students that match derm are published.
As for time constraints, I have friends at allo schools that started doing research their first year and they're doing great. It all probably comes down to time management
As for time constraints, I have friends at allo schools that started doing research their first year and they're doing great. It all probably comes down to time management
I work in a huge lab space, affiliated with two research heavy specialties, with a few MD/PhDs, MDs, residents, current students, people waiting to apply, and undergrads, so here is my experience.
The MD/PhDs all did research during school as it is part of the degree. About half of the older MDs did any sort of research during med school, and usually it was just a summer or so. The others didn't do any.
With the residents, they all did some sort of research during school or the summers.
With the current students, one took a year off in between 3rd and 4th year to strictly do research for the lab, but found the lab immediately during 1st year and has been there since. Another started during the summer of 1st year, didn't take time off, is currently a 4th year, and shows up when he can, which in 4th year is often. The third started the summer after first year, is now a second year, and doesn't have the time to get too involved due to classes.
I think starting research and making connections during the summer of 1st year is probably ideal. If you like it, keep up the connection, and shows up when you can, but 4th year is where the most time will open up, though some rotations during 3rd year won't have huge time commitments. If you are on a huge project or you really like what you are doing, you can take time off, but I wouldn't plan on it.
The MD/PhDs all did research during school as it is part of the degree. About half of the older MDs did any sort of research during med school, and usually it was just a summer or so. The others didn't do any.
With the residents, they all did some sort of research during school or the summers.
With the current students, one took a year off in between 3rd and 4th year to strictly do research for the lab, but found the lab immediately during 1st year and has been there since. Another started during the summer of 1st year, didn't take time off, is currently a 4th year, and shows up when he can, which in 4th year is often. The third started the summer after first year, is now a second year, and doesn't have the time to get too involved due to classes.
I think starting research and making connections during the summer of 1st year is probably ideal. If you like it, keep up the connection, and shows up when you can, but 4th year is where the most time will open up, though some rotations during 3rd year won't have huge time commitments. If you are on a huge project or you really like what you are doing, you can take time off, but I wouldn't plan on it.
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Why are you waiting until med school to start research?
If you want to do basic research, you need to have the skill-set before starting: there just is not enough time to learn how to do basic research while also handling the coursework. Clinical/translational research is usually less time consuming and more flexible than basic, but even for clinical, having previous research experience can make the process easier.
Also realize that you'll have more research opportunities if you go allo, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is to take advantage of the resources available to you
There is a lot of information about these topics in the research forums. From what I gather, the ideal situation for a competitive residency (e.g. Derm, Rads, Ortho, etc) or fellowship (e.g. Cardio, Heme/Onc, ENT, etc) is to have direct research in that specific field. However, given that so many students change their minds about what field to pursue during med school, it is hard to anticipate something like "I am 100% sure that I want to be a pediatric cardiologist and I am going to start doing research as an MS1 in the treatment of cardiac defects in neonates." I agree with the above... get fundamental research training first, if possible before med school, so that you aren't trapped in the learning curve when you do decide what you want to study.
hmm, what exactly do you mean by this? i have done 'some' research in undergrad but i honestly don't know if it gave me the fundamental basics you might be referring to 🙁
Why are you waiting until med school to start research?
If you want to do basic research, you need to have the skill-set before starting: there just is not enough time to learn how to do basic research while also handling the coursework. Clinical/translational research is usually less time consuming and more flexible than basic, but even for clinical, having previous research experience can make the process easier.
Also realize that you'll have more research opportunities if you go allo, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is to take advantage of the resources available to you
Yeah, I completely understand the need for pre-med school research experience. I have been and research since sophomore year of college and I love it. I have a publication and one about to be submitted. That's why I was kind of interested in doing it in medical school.
By "fundamental" I just meant a general understanding of experimental design and execution, data interpretation and basic statistical analysis. Sometimes this sort of thing is better integrated into a premed curriculum than in other cases... most of the time students have to seek it out as an extracurricular (as it sounds like you did) by way of work study / internship / RA position / etc. In my experience (n=1) having a good grasp of this basic approach to research opens doors to more complex and interesting projects.
I highly recommend reading RxnMan's student research FAQ!
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=475894
I've had ample time to pursue research during my first year of medical school (10-20 hours a week); however, I'm not at the top of my class grade-wise. It's all about time-management skills and priorities. If you want to do research and can still get the grades you need for residency, go for it. It's been a good break from medical school and studying 🙂
