PCOM DO/PHD advice

[soccermac42]

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I have turned down over ten interviews because of being accepted at VCOM-CC which is close to my home. Two days ago I received a interview at PCOM for the DO/PHD program. I have always wanted to do both a PHD and get a medical education. My concerns are is PCOM a very good school and will the PHD help or hinder me. The long term goals are to be a physician who treats patients with neurological disorders specifically MS and do some research. Thanks for your opinions in advance. I want advice not discouragement.

 

[Dr. Death]

You can achieve your goals without getting a PhD. There are a lot of physician researchers without the PhD. Are the extra 3 years worth it? I don't think neurology is terribly DO unfriendly so I think you could expect a match without the PhD.

 

[soccermac42]

You can achieve your goals without getting a PhD. There are a lot of physician researchers without the PhD. Are the extra 3 years worth it? I don't think neurology is terribly DO unfriendly so I think you could expect a match without the PhD.

Thanks man I was thinking the same. I don't mind the extra years at all since I am just 22. I just want to make sure the PhD would be worth my time. I ideally would want to do research some on treatments or preventative treatments for neurological disorders and treat patients also.

 

[Dr. Death]

I did assume you want to do a neurology specialty is that the case?

I know that the PhD route pays for med school (or helps pay for school) so if you aren't worried about the extra three years then maybe it is a good option. Certainly not required for what you want to do though. Best of luck!

 

[doapplicant2015]

5ish months into med school and I couldn't imagine extending this any longer than I have to. If you do the PhD it has to be something you absolutely want to do

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Don't do it. You have to pay the first two years of tuition and then you get a PhD from a substandard institution. This means money available for the fancy equipment and techniques won't be there. Your research mentor is not top of his field. You're much better off getting a strong academic residency followed by a research fellowship.

 

[235009]

Just from the way you phrased the vision of your future career (patient care with a little bit of research) makes it clear that you have no business getting a PhD. Those who are serious about a PhD are usually looking to make research the focus of their careers. Throw in the fact that you wouldn't be at a highly regarded institution and I'd say it's pretty obvious you should turn it down.

 

[AlteredScale]

I have turned down over ten interviews because of being accepted at VCOM-CC which is close to my home. Two days ago I received a interview at PCOM for the DO/PHD program. I have always wanted to do both a PHD and get a medical education. My concerns are is PCOM a very good school and will the PHD help or hinder me. The long term goals are to be a physician who treats patients with neurological disorders specifically MS and do some research. Thanks for your opinions in advance. I want advice not discouragement.

Unless you want to become a physician scientist who is solely dedicated to research I would highly suggest against it. Even at decent MD/PhD programs, its a grueling experience to become an independent investigator and additionally, HOLD that position (which means continuously winning or renewing your grants) for years on out.

As @MeatTornado said, the PhD is coming from (no offense) an unknown institution. A search through NIH Reporter there are 4 active NIH grants at that institution where the PhD will be conducted, with none of them being R01's. That type of limitation isn't good for your career as a scientist especially when you have multiple neighboring institutions in Penn (Temple, UPenn, PennState) that have highly regarded research divisions in a multitude of fields.

 

[redPastel]

It just comes down to how serious you are in research. If I'm going with DO/PHD route, I'd make sure my interest is at least 70% research. Otherwise, it's not worth it as you'll be able to do it with a DO degree anyways.