Need some help Dr. Cox

[jue]

hi i was wondering if in your opinion it would be possible to complete a PhD program simultaneously with a surgery residency. i mean i know that surgery residents have long hours but say you wanted to take a PhD program do you think you would have enough time to do it(if you spaced it over the five years of your residency). thanks.

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[tussy]

Sorry, i'm not Kimberli, but i will try to answer your question anyway.

There is definitely no time to complete a PhD simultaneously with a gen surg residency. HOwever, most programs will allow you a couple years off to do a PhD during your residency. I will add years on to your program though.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Ditto to what tussy said. Most programs will allow you to spend some time out of house to do a PhD but to try and do it DURING your 5 year residency would be difficult at best for the following reasons:

1) the hours will most likely prohibit you from spending much time in the lab
2) most programs will not allow you substantial time off or lab rotations which would not extend your 5 year program time
3) many programs have restrictions on moonlighting or any outside work not directly related to the residency. Thus, they might "prohibit" you from doing a PhD at the time.

If you are truly interested in pursuing a PhD you are better off, IMHO, taking time off from your surgery residency to do so, or completing it AFTER your residency.

Best of luck.