PhD after MD?

[ChildNeuro]

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Hi, I am an aspiring child neurologist in my third year of medical school. Does anyone know of anyway that I could get funding to do a PhD combined with a child neurology residency? I have done a moderate amount of research in the past, and really enjoyed it, and have always wanted to pursue a PhD at some point, a year or two of research just doesn't seem to compare to the experience that one would get in a PhD program. 🙄

 

[Gut Shot]

Hi, I am an aspiring child neurologist in my third year of medical school. Does anyone know of anyway that I could get funding to do a PhD combined with a child neurology residency? I have done a moderate amount of research in the past, and really enjoyed it, and have always wanted to pursue a PhD at some point, a year or two of research just doesn't seem to compare to the experience that one would get in a PhD program. 🙄

The experience of a PhD program, sure. You can have this experience any time you want, it's easy! Just make a seven foot long pile of salt, broken glass and nails in your yard, then roll around in it. Finish off with a nice dip in a drum of rubbing alcohol.

Seriously, though, a PhD after an MD is a pretty rare beast, and for good reason. You should be able to find plenty of research experience in residency or through a post-doc, even if you "only" have an MD.

 

[dr.z]

If you got into MD program, I would try to go for MD/Ph.D at the same institution. I don't know that it would be a good idea for you to go get Ph.D after medical school since there are plenty of investigators with just MD. I do know of people that get Ph.D first then MD.

 

[Gut Shot]

If you got into MD program, I would try to go for MD/Ph.D at the same institution.

It's likely a bit late for that. By the time you're a third year you might just as well finish up and move on. Otherwise you'll be sitting around in a lab for about four years AFTER 4th year of medical school, with full med school debt, earning grad student wages.

Or, you could be a resident/post-doc doing effectively the same thing.

 

[roygbasch]

It's likely a bit late for that. By the time you're a third year you might just as well finish up and move on. Otherwise you'll be sitting around in a lab for about four years AFTER 4th year of medical school, with full med school debt, earning grad student wages.

Or, you could be a resident/post-doc doing effectively the same thing.

How about this-- Someone who is out of residency, boarded (int med), doing clincal practice and after a couple years of that decides to pursue a PhD. This allows at least part-time clinical work which helps the bank, and maybe takes the pressure off about getting done quickly (or adds to it, depending on how you look at it). Is this feasible or worthwhile? I am considering a biomedical engineering PhD, and I have a BS and MS in electrical/computer engineering. My goal would be to completely get out of clinical medicine (or do like 90/10 if it really helps the $) and do research and academics in biomed eventually.

Why would I do such a thing? I never thought I would say it, but I miss engineering and research. Being a clinical doc in the "real world" is like brain death. I don't feel prepared to go straight for a post-doc and don't have any exposure to the biomedical side of engineering. I figure it is a way to take advantage of 7 years invested in the MD plus residency with a chance to go back to doing something enjoyable for a change. What do you think????

 

[Foreigner]

The experience of a PhD program, sure. You can have this experience any time you want, it's easy! Just make a seven foot long pile of salt, broken glass and nails in your yard, then roll around in it. Finish off with a nice dip in a drum of rubbing alcohol.

Seriously, though, a PhD after an MD is a pretty rare beast, and for good reason. You should be able to find plenty of research experience in residency or through a post-doc, even if you "only" have an MD.

Could not agree more, Havarti666! I'm just in that drum of rubbing alcohol 🙂

 

[Gut Shot]

How about this-- Someone who is out of residency, boarded (int med), doing clincal practice and after a couple years of that decides to pursue a PhD. This allows at least part-time clinical work which helps the bank, and maybe takes the pressure off about getting done quickly (or adds to it, depending on how you look at it). Is this feasible or worthwhile? I am considering a biomedical engineering PhD, and I have a BS and MS in electrical/computer engineering. My goal would be to completely get out of clinical medicine (or do like 90/10 if it really helps the $) and do research and academics in biomed eventually.

Why would I do such a thing? I never thought I would say it, but I miss engineering and research. Being a clinical doc in the "real world" is like brain death. I don't feel prepared to go straight for a post-doc and don't have any exposure to the biomedical side of engineering. I figure it is a way to take advantage of 7 years invested in the MD plus residency with a chance to go back to doing something enjoyable for a change. What do you think????

The moment you bring up engineering, I'm out of my depth. All I could suggest would be to find other folks who have the job you want, and find out if the PhD is a necessary step to achieve that goal.

 

[mjs]

How about this-- Someone who is out of residency, boarded (int med), doing clincal practice and after a couple years of that decides to pursue a PhD. This allows at least part-time clinical work which helps the bank, and maybe takes the pressure off about getting done quickly (or adds to it, depending on how you look at it). Is this feasible or worthwhile? I am considering a biomedical engineering PhD, and I have a BS and MS in electrical/computer engineering. My goal would be to completely get out of clinical medicine (or do like 90/10 if it really helps the $) and do research and academics in biomed eventually.

Why would I do such a thing? I never thought I would say it, but I miss engineering and research. Being a clinical doc in the "real world" is like brain death. I don't feel prepared to go straight for a post-doc and don't have any exposure to the biomedical side of engineering. I figure it is a way to take advantage of 7 years invested in the MD plus residency with a chance to go back to doing something enjoyable for a change. What do you think????

I think you should talk to some other people that were in your boat and have dealt with the desire to bounce into research. My guess is this forum (and most others) will be of little help. Have any friends in academics that you keep in touch with?