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PharmD and MD Differences
Started by tackett26
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We learn pharmacokinetics too tho probably in less depth. We spend a few weeks on the general principles of pharm and then we learn the various classes of drugs. For each drug you learn MOA, indications, contraindications, side effects, cross reactions etc. We have to know stuff like half life for each drug when it is pertinent, for example the various benzos and how the half life effects which one you use for what and in whom.
I think it's going to take someone who's done both to answer your question very thoroughly, but yeah we learn basic kinetics during M1 biochem and get some more drug-specific stuff during M2 pharmacology. I would bet it's not as in-depth as you guys. We had PharmD students on a couple of M3 inpatient rotations like psych and medicine, and I always found it very helpful.
MDs know the basics but dont get into calculating vanco troughs and gent levels, etc.
From what I know they dont use those lovely e^ power equations!
Btw, I am a 4th year pharm student going into medical school. Going to make it a combo!!
From what I know they dont use those lovely e^ power equations!
Btw, I am a 4th year pharm student going into medical school. Going to make it a combo!!
very interesting. what made you do this?
After really looking into all the fields, I really liked the knowledge of a pharmacist but not the job and I have always wanted to be a physician. Most times, when you see a patient, you diagnosis and treat with drugs. The two together worked for me and I have heard from several that pharmacist make excellent docs so I decided to go for it since I could not chose.
I also loved the sound of MD, PharmD! 😀
By the time I was ready to apply to med school, I would have already had a year in pharm and to start med school I would have been two years in.
I could not give up the six figure job for the hopes I would get into med school.
Oh, I like school and do not care that much about money as long as I have basics covered.
what about the debt...
8 years of professional school plus living?
Unless you get scholarships or go instate you could easily wind up with $500k in debt. Something to consider.
Clinical PharmDs in hospitals manage complex patients' drug regimens and make $100k+. Seems to me that that would be pretty rewarding without another decade of ramen meals.
Clinical PharmDs in hospitals manage complex patients' drug regimens and make $100k+. Seems to me that that would be pretty rewarding without another decade of ramen meals.
Very true! I got it covered though. I would not recommend my path to anyone but it works for me!
D
da8s0859q
you certainly will be very unique 🙂
Thanks you all! I have taken alot of crap from some pharm peeps for wanting both. I think they are just jealous, lol!! They can always apply too!
At least, I can say I am well educated,
At least, I can say I am well educated,
i don't think they are good enough to applyThanks you all! I have taken alot of crap from some pharm peeps for wanting both. I think they are just jealous, lol!! They can always apply too!
At least, I can say I am well educated,
lol, jk, sorta
qft
some..just depends....and there are many MDs who get into school who shouldnt...especially in the carib
I have to leave something for the pharmacists to do! I might just know if you are shooting me some BS, lol!
Just to make known, I am in the process of applying. I interview next week. I have not been accepted yet so it is still a work in progress.
I have a friend that just completed med school and we made similar grades in postbac so I feel comfortable in comparing our abilities.
He told me I could work around 10hr or so a week. I plan to cover my living expenses this way for the most part except 3rd yr.
I worked around 20hr a week in pharm school and keep a 3.9 easily. I know folks say you cant work but I think I can get some time in without a social life, haha!!
I know several people in my class have applied before or at least took the MCAT.
I would say there are like 15 out of 110 I would give a shot. Most of us have great GPAs above 3.6 but get beat by the MCAT or will not volunteer enough to make it. It takes a complete app to make it especially if you have any holes.
It also depends on the school. At my school, since we remove some of the load with anatomy during the summer and a gradual increase in coursework, it would be doable to work. Supposedly there was a girl that worked as a pharm tech a couple nights a week during first year. It is all about being efficient with your time. The fact that some of the coursework is similar may help too. I'm sure it isn't unfathomable to have a little downtime if you work a night shift or very early morning as well.
I am able to get my workouts in, watch some football, go on dates and squander quite a bit of time right now while still being slightly ahead. Second year that won't happen but with 3 courses, hell yea.
Joke's on us if you're in medicine for the paycheck: 3-year PharmD programs means many get their license at 24 or 25 and sign onto a retail chain for $120k a year plus a signing bonus of $5-30k. Can't wait to make something like that...in ten years. When I'm 34.
there are medical schools that wont allow you to work. or perhaps its unofficial.
i dont know that you will be able to work 10 hours a week...i'd look into it. unless you can work adn study while working...which might work out.
dang, that's a lot of time per week
I'm a PharmD (Class of 2009) and am a M1 right now. There is actually another PharmD in my M1 class and there is a person from my pharm class that is also in med school.
As for the differences in material, I cant comment too much yet since I've only been in school for a month or so. I also think it depends on your pharm school curriculum. They vary a lot more from school to school than med school curriculum's I think. Some have req/have anatomy, biochemistry, etc and some don't. But I can say that I think i've studied more in the first month of med school than I did in the first semester of pharm school. Well maybe that is a little over exaggeration, but it just seems more intense to me.
Good luck
As for the differences in material, I cant comment too much yet since I've only been in school for a month or so. I also think it depends on your pharm school curriculum. They vary a lot more from school to school than med school curriculum's I think. Some have req/have anatomy, biochemistry, etc and some don't. But I can say that I think i've studied more in the first month of med school than I did in the first semester of pharm school. Well maybe that is a little over exaggeration, but it just seems more intense to me.
Good luck
... damn pharm kids... lol
I will work as much as I can within limits of school and personal time I need to rest. Those come first to me.
I have seen all the materials for a M1 where I want to go from a friend and it is a good bit more but seems more interesting to me.
I can memorize massive amounts in short time periods to do well on tests but I want to "learn" the material.
Still did not see anything harder than my medicinal chem classes.
Hopefully, I will get the chance to experience it, haha!! 😀
I have seen all the materials for a M1 where I want to go from a friend and it is a good bit more but seems more interesting to me.
I can memorize massive amounts in short time periods to do well on tests but I want to "learn" the material.
Still did not see anything harder than my medicinal chem classes.
Hopefully, I will get the chance to experience it, haha!! 😀
The Pharm girls at my school are disgustingly hot. Not that the girls in med are bad, but the majority of the pharm girls are just wow. Makes me wonder if I picked the wrong path.
The girls at my school are really hot! Thought I was at a modeling agency the first day!! Pharmacy does have the looks!! haha!!
Good to know we aren't "phar" off from you guys...
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If that's your opinion you must also recognize that the inverse is also true!! Sure would cause some problems if I made the MD's do their own kinetics.
Spoken like a stereotypical med student who often has trouble discerning his ass from a whole in the ground.
what is this "whole in the ground" you speak of? a whole what?
or did pharm school erase your ability to differentiate between hole and whole?
-And that children is how you keep a perfectionist med school student busy for hours on end without really trying
Did you read the part about how he is a fourth-year pharmacy student?
I did, I'm just giving him a hard time.
I'm sure all the MDs would gladly do their own kinetics if insurers and Medicare paid them extra the equivalent of a pharmacist's generous salary ($100k-$120k).
Hell, maybe MDs can even start a one-year fellowship for those who need extra training. They can take out the fluff courses in a PharmD and condense it into one year (advanced pharmacology and pharmacokinetics)
Here's the typical PharmD curriculum:
Year 1
Pharmacology I, II
Biochemistry I, II
Biochemistry Lab
Medical Microbiology and Immunizations
Early Pharmacy Practice Experience
Calculations
Year 2
Pharmacology III
Chemistry I, II
Pharmacokinetics
Toxicology
Health Care Systems
Biopharmaceutics & Drug Delivery
Year 3
Pharmacology IV
Chemistry III
Introduction to Clinical Chemistry
Human Nutrition and Drug Therapy
Pharmacy Management
Ethics & Law in Pharmacy Practice
Year 4
Hospital Externship
Community Externship
Clerkship
Well, hopefully, I will get to be one of those stereotypical med students. 🙂
And, maybe I will learn in gross anatomy the difference between my ass and a hole in the ground. Excuse, "whole"!!
Sorry, I apparently forgot how to spell!!!
Probably not....too busy with visions of witty thoughts and remarks in his head.
Like I gave your momma the other night! 😀
Please tell her to quit texting me at work. Begging is so unattractive. Appreciate it!! Thanks,
Our curriculum is a bit different. For a guy you seem more eager to play down the role of a pharmacist than most of the med students.
Basic kinetics can be taught easily. In fact, I have taught several med students I have met on pharm rotations how to calculate vanco and gent levels. All you need is the equations and some basic understanding.
It's not some complex mystery....that only pharm can understand. Pharm will just know a little more. As a healthcare professional, why not teach others to help educate and increase patient outcomes. No matter what side we are on we are all there to help them.
