Research Vs. Observership for Residency

[Gastrin]

Hi 🙂

I am a FMG planning to apply for IM residency in 2013.
I have an option of doing observerships or research in US.
Which one do you think would be better for my residency application?

I have observed a recent trend in people obsessing over research and observerships to supplement their CVs.
Hence I wanted to know how program directors really look at observerships and research.
Are these helpful at all? If so which one helps more?
Also what sort of research is better? Basic research or clinical research?

I would very much appreciate any inputs from residents, fellows, attendings and program directors 🙂

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[Domenech]

Hi 🙂

I am a FMG planning to apply for IM residency in 2013.
I have an option of doing observerships or research in US.
Which one do you think would be better for my residency application?

I have observed a recent trend in people obsessing over research and observerships to supplement their CVs.
Hence I wanted to know how program directors really look at observerships and research.
Are these helpful at all? If so which one helps more?
Also what sort of research is better? Basic research or clinical research?

I would very much appreciate any inputs from residents, fellows, attendings and program directors 🙂

As long as you get the Letter of Recommendation from an American attending, either observership or research is fine. But research may be a better option, especially clinical, as it provides you a better chance at getting publications. But you need about 6-12 months of research to be able to get good publications whereas observerships can be done in a shorter period of time - anywhere between 3 weeks to 12 weeks, or maybe even more. Unless you know some attending personally, observerships may be an expensive option, whereas research can be had on voluntary basis.

Observerships and research give you a chance to know the people in the program better, especially if it's a big university with a good residency program. Some IM programs have explicitly written on their website that they do NOT consider observership a form of USCE, whereas others have explicitly mentioned they DO consider it a form of USCE. You will have to compile your own list in order to acquire a better idea.

If you have plenty of time, go for research and make sure to get publications out. Good luck.

 

[ROBINHO]

Depends on your profile
If u have US clinical experience then an observership doesnt add anything,...maybe research/publications.

If u dont have USCE then u shd do an observership....as some externships allow (according to some IMGs) u to to do some basic interviewing of patients, BP check etc and it will be helpful to have a letter attesting to your clinical knowledge, communication skills etc

The win win situation is a clinicl research which allows u to observe procedures, interview patients etc.

Note: for research u need more time to be able to get publications

 

[Gastrin]

Thanks Domenech & Robinho for your suggestions 🙂

I have 2 months of clinical clerkships & have got few publications (few PubMed listed, few non-PubMed, few abstracts & presentations, but all are low key affairs, nothing tremendous). However, I feel that I don't have enough of either.

What would you guys do if you were in my position?

What kind of clinical research are you talking about exactly? The ones I found are research coordinator work involving coordination of clinical trials, calling up patients, writing up material for IRBs etc. Are you talking about these sort of positions? If not do you have any name/keyword with which I can search the university job pages or inquire with faculty when emailing them?

I understand your suggestions regarding clinical research. Can you please share your opinions regarding basic research?