Should I be Doing Research?

[Fabio001]

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I'm a first year medicine student and as of the past few months I've found myself drawn more and more to psychiatry. My undergrad was in psychology, so psychiatry has been on my radar for some time, but the more I look into it, the more I feel that it's the direction that I'm meant to go in. So my question: Should I be doing research?

In undergrad I did quite a bit of research in the cognitive realm. I enjoy research alot, but it seems like I'd really have to make some sacrifices in order to make the time to carry it on during medical school. There seem to be some very interesting areas of psychiatry in which I could get involved in some research, so finding something interesting isn't an issue. I guess I ultimately want to keep doors open (academic medicine, a good program with great psychotherapy training).

 

[nitemagi]

Research will only help, but if you don't have it it usually won't close doors. Big research institutions will view it as one extra factor that's a plus. If you're a strong candidate otherwise you probably shouldn't worry about it. One idea might be finding a way to do small bursts of research, such as some data analysis in a lab and try to squeeze out a paper or two during med school. Talk with some mentors in your school.