Research Position: Sound Worthwhile?

[FlowLimited]

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As my MS1 year is coming to a close, I'm trying to get my summer plans organized. I've been offered a position as a research assistant at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The project is a Phase I clinical trial and I'd be conducting patient visits, taking vitals/EKGs, processing lab specimens, charting, trying to recruit patients to the study, and of course, data entry.

Does this sound like a worthwhile experience at least as far as residency applications are concerned? Should I be looking for something more?

Thanks.

 

[Blesbok]

As my MS1 year is coming to a close, I'm trying to get my summer plans organized. I've been offered a position as a research assistant at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The project is a Phase I clinical trial and I'd be conducting patient visits, taking vitals/EKGs, processing lab specimens, charting, trying to recruit patients to the study, and of course, data entry.

Does this sound like a worthwhile experience at least as far as residency applications are concerned? Should I be looking for something more?

Thanks.

It will look better than nothing, but you definitely won't get your name on a paper, so if you can find something where it would be YOUR research, it would be better.

 

[FlowLimited]

It will look better than nothing, but you definitely won't get your name on a paper, so if you can find something where it would be YOUR research, it would be better.

I agree, a publication would be ideal. However, at this point it may be a bit too late to find an opportunity like that.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Blesbok]

I agree, a publication would be ideal. However, at this point it may be a bit too late to find an opportunity like that.

Thanks for your help.

That is true, so I would say go for it. It will introduce you to the process of clinical research and also probably make you a few connections.

 

[FlowLimited]

That is true, so I would say go for it. It will introduce you to the process of clinical research and also probably make you a few connections.

When I think about it, that's all I was really hoping for anyway. That and some money.

Thanks again.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

If it's not going to yield a good chance at an authorship then it's not worthwhile.

 

[FlowLimited]

If it's not going to yield a good chance at an authorship then it's not worthwhile.

Would you say this is true in regards to the pursuit of any specialty, or just those that are most competitive? I was under the impression that for most specialties of low to moderate competitiveness, publications weren't absolutely essential.

 

[CorazonDoc]

I ran into this same problem about 5 years ago when trying to decide between a clinical trial and doing bench research to gain some research experience. At the time I didn't know what I wanted to go into.

I have to agree with what others have said that if you were at all looking at specialties that value research, you would be much better served by a research experience that would end in an abstract/presentation/publication or research that involved bench work. Coordinating clinic trials isn't considered science by many clinician-scientists out there who might be evaluating you for a position later on.

In low to moderately competitive specialties, you are right, research publications are currently not essential. However, one could argue that every specialty with soon be considered highly competitive since the number of medical students keeps increasing at a much higher rate than new residency positions.

On the other hand, it's not like the experience is going to hurt you.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Would you say this is true in regards to the pursuit of any specialty, or just those that are most competitive? I was under the impression that for most specialties of low to moderate competitiveness, publications weren't absolutely essential.

I agree with corazon, if you'd like to match at MGH or UCSF for internal medicine having some original research will be of great value. This research should demonstrate your abilities, which I do not feel coordinating a part of a clinical trial would adequately do.

 

[FlowLimited]

I agree with corazon, if you'd like to match at MGH or UCSF for internal medicine having some original research will be of great value. This research should demonstrate your abilities, which I do not feel coordinating a part of a clinical trial would adequately do.

I completely understand what you're saying. There are very competitive programs in even the most non-competitive specialties and research is key if you're going to match them.

On somewhat of a side note, this summer I'm also going to be working with a physician studying lung complications in children with sickle cell disease. It's not bench research nor would I consider it rigorous clinical research, but what would you say about the merits of this opportunity? I can't say for sure whether it'll lead to a publication.

Thanks for all the opinions.

 

[CorazonDoc]

I know it's probably more difficult after you've already set something up, but it's always fair game to ask a PI whether they think the work you'd be doing is publishable and whether you would be included in the publication when you are in initial discussions about the research.

In fact, I would say most PIs like to hear it asked because it shows some ambition and they know that the student will be motivated to get things done. Don't be afraid to do this early when you''re setting up the experience. And it only requires a little tact.

In your case, since you've already set up the project, you can always throw in something like:
"I've started to do some background reading on X and it seems like the experiments/work we will be doing is very interesting stuff. Do you think that if Y turns out, it will be publishable? presentable at a conference? IF I put in a good amount of work, would I be included in this?

or

"I was just thinking, do you have any plans to write up this work as an abstract and present it at a specific conference? I would love to be a part of that and contribute in any way you think I am able to."

 

[Mr hawkings]

When I think about it, that's all I was really hoping for anyway. That and some money.

Thanks again.

Oh it pays? i'd be all over that

 

[FlowLimited]

I know it's probably more difficult after you've already set something up, but it's always fair game to ask a PI whether they think the work you'd be doing is publishable and whether you would be included in the publication when you are in initial discussions about the research.

In fact, I would say most PIs like to hear it asked because it shows some ambition and they know that the student will be motivated to get things done. Don't be afraid to do this early when you''re setting up the experience. And it only requires a little tact.

In your case, since you've already set up the project, you can always throw in something like:
"I've started to do some background reading on X and it seems like the experiments/work we will be doing is very interesting stuff. Do you think that if Y turns out, it will be publishable? presentable at a conference? IF I put in a good amount of work, would I be included in this?

or

"I was just thinking, do you have any plans to write up this work as an abstract and present it at a specific conference? I would love to be a part of that and contribute in any way you think I am able to."

That's good to know. Thanks.

 

[235009]

This research should demonstrate your abilities, which I do not feel coordinating a part of a clinical trial would adequately do.

what "abilities" are you referring to?

also, do residency programs only care that you have published/presented original research work or does this work need to have been done during med school? I'm referring to work done after undergrad that will probably be published after i start med school.