Research and Clinical Trials

[calidoc2004]

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Im curious if anyone has any information on DO's doing Research or Clinical Trials?
I hate to do the MD vs DO type post but ive been accepted to a great DO program but am interested in possibliy doing some clinical trial work down the road in my career. Also maybe some lab type research positions. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

How does a DO compare to a PhD status wise in a lab or research setting?

 

[calidoc2004]

Oh one thing i forgot.
I got into at DO program. But didnt apply to a DO/PhD program.
Does anyone know if thats something you can apply to MS1 or MS2? Or would you have to complete the DO program completley then start the PhD?

 

[Runtita]

Are you talking about DESIGNING clinical trials or PARTICIPATING in them as a study site? Either way, if you are an MD or DO, it won't make a difference, as long as you can sell the pharmaceutical companies/funding agencies on your credentials and experience- and ability to attract a good sample size to your clinic/hospital.

About having a PhD- it really depends on what you are planning to research. Something more on a basic science level like abstract biochemical pathways might be more along the lines of a PhD, while applied, clinical science (how X drug/treatment affects y condition/disease in a real patient) might be more suitable for MDs/DOs.

It's a myth that DOs don't do research. They do. And it's not always in manipulation, either. (Even though we need more OMT research!) It's really not the degree that matters as much as the person behind it- if you are motivated to do research well, and you do it, you will be rewarded by getting funded more easily in the future. Research begets research.

 

[doyoda2004]

The University of North Texas Health Science Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine does a great number of clinical trials. The Dean reports something like 5 million expected over the next year in clinical trails alone. I believe they are projecting over 20 million in total research for the year.

 

[calidoc2004]

Thanks for the responses.
I was thinking that someday down the road id have my own practice or be working in a small group. Itd be interesting to me to participate in the clinical trials as a site.

 

[DOctorJay]

calidoc,
after doing some searching around on the forums I see we'll be classmates at UMDNJ-SOM this year!!! SOM receives the largest amount of NIH funding of any of the DO schools so I assure you if you're interested in persuing research it will be available at SOM. I have some research experience due to my physical therapy curriculum. I'm looking forward to meeting you and the rest of the class of 2008!

-J