MSTP, surgery, and severe miopia

[happyolik]

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More crazy but important questions... Will I be able to become a surgeon if I go through the MSTP route? I understand that this is, probably, even more difficult. One more question: can one consider surgery if they are highly miopic?

 

[VaultArmitage]

Some surgery fields are highly academic. Off the top of my head I can think of neurosurgery, surgical oncology, even ortho. If you look at match lists of MSTP programs around the country you'll generally see at least one match into a surgical specialty. I think it's not quite as easy as going into internal medicine or pediatrics due to the technical skill required though. For instance as a patient do you want the neurosurgeon who only operates 20% of the time? Or the neurosurgeon who is in the operating room daily and operates 80% of the time? I think it's something to consider.

As for being myopic and going into surgery I can't answer that. I would ask a practicing surgeon if they have any myopic colleagues.

 

[Neuronix]

Are you asking if you can do surgery and wear glasses? I'm pretty sure the answer is yes.

You train as an MD and a PhD. You can decide to use either degree however you want. If you want to be a surgeon AND a scientist, you're a masochist and good luck to you.

 

[Serac]

Yes, you certainly can. There are several MSTPs that see a good share of their students match into surgery and go on to have great careers in both research and surgery. PM me if you'd like to discuss it in detail.

 

[interstellar taco]

I'm an MD/PhD surgeon. I do clinic 2 days a week. The other 3 days are a balance of research, admin, and surgery. As I bring in more research funding, my clinic responsibilities will contract. I am fortunate to have a niche surgical skillset. My advice from the faculty MD/PhD surgeon standpoint is that the most important slice of your career will be your post-residency fellowship. So make sure you choose that wisely. By that point it won't matter (much) where you did your MD, PhD, or residency.

To your other question: I wear glasses.

 

[happyolik]

I'm an MD/PhD surgeon. I do clinic 2 days a week. The other 3 days are a balance of research, admin, and surgery. As I bring in more research funding, my clinic responsibilities will contract. I am fortunate to have a niche surgical skillset. My advice from the faculty MD/PhD surgeon standpoint is that the most important slice of your career will be your post-residency fellowship. So make sure you choose that wisely. By that point it won't matter (much) where you did your MD, PhD, or residency.

To your other question: I wear glasses.

unfortunately, my glasses are -12 diopters glasses 🙁

 

[eteshoe]

unfortunately, my glasses are -12 diopters glasses 🙁

Yikes. Glad my eyes aren't that far (-3, -1.5)