Research Worries

Started by caramelbear
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caramelbear

caramelbear

Full Member
7+ Year Member
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I did research the summer between MS1 and MS2. I worked on two projects that fit the realm of EM and critical care. One of them had terrible data. I presented a poster on it at my school's research conference, and that looks like it'll be about it. I'm upset about it since I had to do absolutely everything from researching it to getting the IRB approval. I took on the second project because I had some extra time, and they needed help. So far, I have a second author poster, also at the school's research day, on it. We are hoping to publish or maybe go and/or present it at a conference. I would only likely be second author on it (even though the other student and I do equal work). We're in second year and are coming up to the boards, so that is a bit up in the air. Let's just say things have not been moving fast.

I have been thinking EM or IM-> critical care. I don't particularly enjoy research, but I am worried I will have trouble achieving my goals with such a disappointing amount of experience. Ultimately, I want to work in a community hospital. I am not particularly interested in academic medicine at this point. My grades are very high, and I am hoping I can kill Step 1 to make up for it. I'm also heavily involved in leadership positions in my school.

Advice?
 
caramelbear said:
I did research the summer between MS1 and MS2. I worked on two projects that fit the realm of EM and critical care. One of them had terrible data. I presented a poster on it at my school's research conference, and that looks like it'll be about it. I'm upset about it since I had to do absolutely everything from researching it to getting the IRB approval. I took on the second project because I had some extra time, and they needed help. So far, I have a second author poster, also at the school's research day, on it. We are hoping to publish or maybe go and/or present it at a conference. I would only likely be second author on it (even though the other student and I do equal work). We're in second year and are coming up to the boards, so that is a bit up in the air. Let's just say things have not been moving fast.

I have been thinking EM or IM-> critical care. I don't particularly enjoy research, but I am worried I will have trouble achieving my goals with such a disappointing amount of experience. Ultimately, I want to work in a community hospital. I am not particularly interested in academic medicine at this point. My grades are very high, and I am hoping I can kill Step 1 to make up for it. I'm also heavily involved in leadership positions in my school.

Advice?
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There is a section in ERAS for "Research Experiences" where you can explain what projects you were involved in. Honestly, I glance over the "Publications/Presentations" portion of the ERAS application (which includes posters), but since most applicants put all sorts of things that are of no real research or experience value in there, I usually don't pay it much mind. If you wrote and IRB and learned that process (even if it didn't lead to a publication), I think that is far more valuable that publishing case reports. Just my opinion though.
 
SurfingDoctor said:
There is a section in ERAS for "Research Experiences" where you can explain what projects you were involved in. Honestly, I glance over the "Publications/Presentations" portion of the ERAS application (which includes posters), but since most applicants put all sorts of things that are of no real research or experience value in there, I usually don't pay it much mind. If you wrote and IRB and learned that process (even if it didn't lead to a publication), I think that is far more valuable that publishing case reports. Just my opinion though.
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I know this has been asked before, but since you seem to have significant experience Im curious about your opinion. How do you view people with significant previous research from undergrad and gap years? I have basic science publications and a first author on one. I've been trying to get involved in medical school but it seems like the projects I get involved with never really take off.
 
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I matched EM with less research experience than that. I was involved with candidate selection during residency and research experience does give you points, but even if you have zero you still have a shot. And to be honest your experience puts you middle of the road in the research category at least based on my residency spot, so I wouldn't worry about research if that's not your thing. Also if you are an author of any type on a paper that's better than a lot of candidates.
 
1. You took a question/idea, did background research, sought and obtained approval for a study, collected and analyzed data, and presented your findings.
2. You learned that good data isn't easy to come by.
3. You learned that you don't particularly enjoy research.

If you look at it that way, your summer sounds pretty successful. The purpose of research between MS1 and MS2 is to learn the research process and find out if research is something you enjoy. Publications are a bonus but would be difficult to obtain with just a few months of work. You will have much more time for research if you do ultimately decide to pursue a fellowship.

You will be able to include these experiences on your residency applications and you will have a lot you can talk about during interviews. Don't worry too much.
 
NWwildcat2013 said:
I know this has been asked before, but since you seem to have significant experience Im curious about your opinion. How do you view people with significant previous research from undergrad and gap years? I have basic science publications and a first author on one. I've been trying to get involved in medical school but it seems like the projects I get involved with never really take off.
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I think it all counts. However, the more recent the research, and the more oriented it is to your career goals, the more impactful it is.
 
Thank you all SO MUCH for the responses. This is really helpful! I'm going to just hope that other project works out and focus on step 1. Thanks again!
 
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