Specialties & Research

[PedsMed]

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Hey all,

I'm a second year med student with a strong interest in Peds Heme/Onc. I've begun a summer research experience, and I'm starting to realize that many of the docs I work with spend at least 50% or more of their time doing research. I asked if this was typical, and they said it was. I'm not really interested in research- I find the science fascinating, and I like studying it, but I envisioned spending most of my time with patients. Is it like this everywhere? Should I rethink my career path if I don't think I want to spend my career this way?

Thanks!

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Hey all,

I'm a second year med student with a strong interest in Peds Heme/Onc. I've begun a summer research experience, and I'm starting to realize that many of the docs I work with spend at least 50% or more of their time doing research. I asked if this was typical, and they said it was. I'm not really interested in research- I find the science fascinating, and I like studying it, but I envisioned spending most of my time with patients. Is it like this everywhere? Should I rethink my career path if I don't think I want to spend my career this way?

Thanks!

If you take a look at the largest 4 or 5 pediatric cancer centers in the US, then yes, this is likely true that MOST, but not all faculty are spending 60-80% of their time doing research. That is expected at these centers. Even at these places however, there will be folks who are primarily "clinicians" who are spending most of their time doing patient care and the rest involved in a little research and also teaching, administration.

Go beyond those top handful and the situation is different. Pediatric heme/onc has a huge clinical load and at most places, most of the attendings are primarily clinicians. You may have a few folks involved as the local organizer for clinical care protocols, but even then, they will likely be primarily clinicians.

Now, in training, ALL pediatric subspecialists must have some involvement in a research project. So, you'll need during your fellowship to get involved in some research. You may or may not like it, but it will NOT determine whether you end up as a researcher or a clinician.

Pedi heme/onc is moderately competitive. Programs would like people who can be productive during their research years, so be prepared with some ideas about this. But, we all understand that most specialty fellows in all pedi areas will ultimately do clinical care primarily.

Even those trained at the "big name" places.