Residency w/ research?

[ChouetteColette]

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Hi everyone,
I'm a rising senior at wash u trying to decide whether to apply for mstp or md programs. I've worked in several labs and had some awesome experiences, and I definitely want research to be a part of my career in the future. I'm just torn between taking the extra years out during med school or doing a fellowship or other program later...as it seems lots of people are! I've heard that there are some residency programs that consist of a year of clinical training, then allow you to focus more on research. Anyone know anything about these, and the likelihood of being accepted to one straight out of med school vs. after earning the phd degree as well?
Thanks! 🙂

 

[Gfunk6]

The programs I think you are referring to are so-called "fast tracking" or "molecular medicine" residency-fellowship combinations. Essentially, they let you combine an IM residency with the fellowship of your choice (Cardio, Hem-Onc, Inf Dis, etc.) which would normally be 5-6 years of clinical training. They allow you to complete the IM residency within 2 years so that you can focus on your research training during fellowship.

Although these programs are tailored for MD-PhDs, good candidates may be straight MDs with a strong research background (MS, HHMI fellow).

My own personal concern is this -- if you wish to run your own lab, then you need a lot of training honing your skills at grant-writing, bench work, and general lab administration. If you do a full-fledged PhD, you can maximize these opportunites. Furthermore, evidence indicates that it may be easier to apply for NIH R01 grants with a PhD.

Nevertheless, as I'm sure you are aware, there are plenty of straight MDs who do clinical and basic research with the benefits of research training during the summers of medical school supplemented by their fellowship training. YMMV.

But if you are certain that you wish to combine research with a medical career, then MSTPs are your best bet.