Question about research timing

[BurghStudent]

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I have an honest interest in conducting research during med school. So far, I have planned to dedicate this first summer to research alone.

My question is, how does research fit into the schedule later on? There are so many summer research fellowships out there that will support projects I am interested in. Surprisingly, many are open to first through third year med students. Will there be any time the summer after MS2 to do research at your own institution? For example, can you schedule clerkships accordingly?

 

[WaylonS]

It depends on your school's scheduling policy and the project. If you start a basic research project as an M1, taking research electives in M3 and M4 to finish the project is logical. To take a one month research elective during MS3 to start a new basic project does not make any sense. However, if it's a clinical project--especially if it's retrospective or all the data has been gathered--well, that's a hell of a lot more doable. If you're interested in research, you could apply for research year programs (either between MS2/MS3 or MS3/MS4). FYI, there are both basic and clinical research years available

 

[JJMrK]

Start talking to PIs during your first year and get a project lined up for the summer. Make sure the PI has a good track record working with students and getting things published. Continue as time allows during second, third, and fourth year. Should be able to publish at least a few papers doing this.

 

[evilbooyaa]

There are MS2s and MS3s I know at Pitt that are doing research concurrently with their classwork or on weekends during rotations. If you're on a clinical project, just a couple hours as week is enough to gather data.

 

[QuantumJ]

Obviously there a lot of different factors but if a student worked on a clinical project over the summer full time is it reasonable to expect to get a pub out of it (I'm a little confused between abstract, poster, presentation, published work, etc).

 

[evilbooyaa]

Obviously there a lot of different factors but if a student worked on a clinical project over the summer full time is it reasonable to expect to get a pub out of it (I'm a little confused between abstract, poster, presentation, published work, etc).

Depends. If the attending/resident you're working with has a protocol and IRB approval already, then yes, it is possible to get a publication (or at least get enough data to put a paper together). If you have a month and you spend 2 weeks of it getting the IRB approved, it will be harder.

Abstract = a 250-350 word synopsis of your research. Mostly result based with a few minor conclusions. This generally goes in a book at a national meeting.
Poster = For national meetings, some abstracts get accepted to be turned into posters. This allows for more explanation of results and conclusions, along with a more cohesive background section as to why your project is important. You stand next to your poster and answer any questions that people may have about your research.
Presentation = For national meetings, likely an abstract that is considered very relevant to the meeting's interests. You orally present your data with PPT slides. People ask you questions afterwards.
Published work = You put together a full paper with all the requirements of a paper (Intro/M&M/Results/Discussion), including figure legends, references, etc.

Abstract < Poster < Presentation < Publication (assuming all are 1st author).

 

[QuantumJ]

Depends. If the attending/resident you're working with has a protocol and IRB approval already, then yes, it is possible to get a publication (or at least get enough data to put a paper together). If you have a month and you spend 2 weeks of it getting the IRB approved, it will be harder.

Abstract = a 250-350 word synopsis of your research. Mostly result based with a few minor conclusions. This generally goes in a book at a national meeting.
Poster = For national meetings, some abstracts get accepted to be turned into posters. This allows for more explanation of results and conclusions, along with a more cohesive background section as to why your project is important. You stand next to your poster and answer any questions that people may have about your research.
Presentation = For national meetings, likely an abstract that is considered very relevant to the meeting's interests. You orally present your data with PPT slides. People ask you questions afterwards.
Published work = You put together a full paper with all the requirements of a paper (Intro/M&M/Results/Discussion), including figure legends, references, etc.

Abstract < Poster < Presentation < Publication (assuming all are 1st author).

Thanks very much for the summary and explanations. Exactly what I was looking for

 

[BurghStudent]

Thanks for the advice folks. More and more, I feel like taking a year off somewhere in between to do research. Then again, that's another year I won't be a working physician. But it will probably be worth it.

 

[QuantumJ]

Thanks for the advice folks. More and more, I feel like taking a year off somewhere in between to do research. Then again, that's another year I won't be a working physician. But it will probably be worth it.

Mind if I ask what specialty you have in mind?

 

[BurghStudent]

Mind if I ask what specialty you have in mind?

Sure. Maybe it's premature, but, neurosurgery. I've been spending a lot of time with my nsurg department and I just feel like I belong, in a way.

 

[evilbooyaa]

Thanks for the advice folks. More and more, I feel like taking a year off somewhere in between to do research. Then again, that's another year I won't be a working physician. But it will probably be worth it.

Seems like that is quite a popular thing to happen at Pitt. Not sure what year you are now. Do some shadowing in the field if you haven't already, and maybe a bit of research in the summer (if you're an M1). I have a friend who is taking a year off to do NSG research, but it is primarily because he isn't very competitive with his step 1 and grades. I think if you nail step 1 and do well during MS3 with some minor research you would at least match without having to take a year off. If you want a top place for NSG (Barrows or something) then a full year wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[JJMrK]

Obviously there a lot of different factors but if a student worked on a clinical project over the summer full time is it reasonable to expect to get a pub out of it (I'm a little confused between abstract, poster, presentation, published work, etc).

Yes, if everything is in place and ready to go. You may need to continue working on it into the school year.