Research before fellowship

[Green Grass]

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Until recently, I didn't realize that many of you had done extensive research before going onto your fellowships (either during residency or post-residency). I'm just wondering how common this practice is and if certain fellowships basically require that you have done research before applying? Thanks.

 

[BlondeDocteur]

I think the only two fields where it is literally required, at every program, are pediatric surgery and surg onc.

Some surgery programs require all residents to do 2 years in the laboratory. Others have a set number (say, half the class) who must go into the lab. Many people enjoy the time off, and/or have a genuine interest in research. And the top programs in any field will always smile kindly on it. So the reasons for which one does lab work in residency are varied-- either due to subspecialty choice, program requirements, personal life, or academic interests.

 

[Pilot Doc]

About 1/3 of GS residents spend 1, 2 or (rarely) 3 years doing research. most often after PGY2 or 3. It's about 50/50 1 or 2 year and 50/50 after PGY2 and PGY3. As noted above, very rare to sucessfully match peds or surg onc w/o research. But 2/3 of GS residents do a fellowship, so it's hardly required.

 

[Green Grass]

Great responses guys/gals.

Just wondering if the residents coordinate these research experiences through their residency - thus, making matching at a place with your desired fellowship quite important?

 

[Winged Scapula]

Great responses guys/gals.

Just wondering if the residents coordinate these research experiences through their residency - thus, making matching at a place with your desired fellowship quite important?

I would include plastics as a field in which research has become commonplace.

As for coordination, if you know ahead of time that you want a fellowship in which research is *required*, then you choose an academic program which will provide you plenty of lab options. If you cannot/choose not to, then you may have to coordinate this yourself with an outside lab, NIH, etc. A

All of my colleagues found labs at our home institution, save one who wanted to do thoracic research with someone in particular in another state (and then he ends up going into plastics after 3 years in a thoracic lab ).

You don't have to match at a place that has a fellowship in your desired field, although it would presumably make things easier for you (provided you wanted to stay there and they wanted you as well). Connections however, especially for these smaller and more competitive fields, are important.

 

[Green Grass]

Do these two fellowships require research because most (maybe all) fellowship graduates will be working in an academic setting?

 

[SocialistMD]

Do these two fellowships require research because most (maybe all) fellowship graduates will be working in an academic setting?

Partially that and partially the fact that it is a hoop they can make one jump through to attain a fellowship spot. They are competitive because there are few spots nationally. "Mandating" prior research experience (and publications to go with it) is a way of separating resident candidates. If there are 40 spots and 80 applicants, the 60 with research experience will be seen as more competitive because they demonstrate that they bring something additional to the table, thus making them more desirable.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Partially that and partially the fact that it is a hoop they can make one jump through to attain a fellowship spot. They are competitive because there are few spots nationally. "Mandating" prior research experience (and publications to go with it) is a way of separating resident candidates. If there are 40 spots and 80 applicants, the 60 with research experience will be seen as more competitive because they demonstrate that they bring something additional to the table, thus making them more desirable.

Agree.

As I've mentioned before, my faculty wanted me to spend more time in the lab to be competitive for PRS.

I'd spent nearly 10 years in the lab prior to medical school and already knew how to write grants, articles for publication, etc. which is what I *thought* going into the lab was for. Apparently, it is a bit of a hoop jump in some cases. 🙄