Summer Research after Year 1?? Which field?

[Doc.Holliday]

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Just planning ahead...

If one is still undecided by the end of first year, as so many are, how can one choose what sort of research project to work on during the oh so important opportunity we have the summer after first year. I have my ideas, i'm strongly considering plastic surgery, but another surgery specialty or even family practice and the like could possibly end up being my ultimate choice (though surgery seems most likely).

So, should one in my position just go with whats at the top of the list at present? or should one choose a more general research area, general surgery, or less specific than that? I'll be shooting for a top spot no matter the field. THanks!

 

[Wizard of Oz]

Just planning ahead...

If one is still undecided by the end of first year, as so many are, how can one choose what sort of research project to work on during the oh so important opportunity we have the summer after first year. I have my ideas, i'm strongly considering plastic surgery, but another surgery specialty or even family practice and the like could possibly end up being my ultimate choice (though surgery seems most likely).

So, should one in my position just go with whats at the top of the list at present? or should one choose a more general research area, general surgery, or less specific than that? I'll be shooting for a top spot no matter the field. THanks!

If you can get into cutting edge surgical research during your M1/M2 summer, please let me know how you got into it, what role you played, and what the outcome was.

 

[ANCAdoc]

Definently do what is at the top of your list, regardless of whether it is specialized or not. If you are interested in plastics, then go for it! If you pick a field you are the most interested in, then you will probably put more effort into it. Besides, your PI will likely notice your interest in the field and this will help when it comes time for a letter of rec.

Landing a publication in any field shows you have the ability to think in a logical, scientific manner, and this is a quality residency directors like. I've landed four publications so far in the urological field (all from summer work), and from what I hear it will help me in any field I wish to pursue in the future (when it comes to applying to residencies). This goes to show you that you can accomplish some big projects in the summer time-frame.

If you work with an MD mentor and you two hit it off really well, offer to write up any interesting case reports he has in the future. These can get published, and would be a boost to your CV. I have never published a case report, but I do know a couple med students who have taken this route. Docs always see interesting cases, esp in the academic setting, however oftentimes are too busy to write it up. This would be a great learning exp for you, as you would get to go through the case files and get practice drafting a manuscript.

Good luck!

 

[vtucci]

I did a project during summer between M1 and M2 in the field of Infectious Disease. We are still waiting to hear back from the journals re: publication. It was a lit review. That is definitely doable in the amount of time that we have. It is also the background for a case report that I am working on and a RCT that I am trying to set up.

Find a good research mentor. That is key.

 

[mikedc813]

I did a project during summer between M1 and M2 in the field of Infectious Disease. We are still waiting to hear back from the journals re: publication. It was a lit review. That is definitely doable in the amount of time that we have. It is also the background for a case report that I am working on and a RCT that I am trying to set up.

Find a good research mentor. That is key.

I agree. I also did research after 1st year and found that having a mentor willing to spend quality time with you makes or breaks the experience, especially if you have no research experience. You should also have time in your 4th year to schedule research as an Elective.

 

[ashahdc]

I spent a month doing data entry for a retrospective study with ENT and OMFS. Not enough to get my name on a study, but enough to make a good impression.

 

[Wrigleyville]

Do whatever you're interested in. If you're able to get something published, that's great. If it happens to be in the field you end up going into, fantastic. If not, it's still a big plus.

 

[DrZeke]

So, I'm really glad this thread was created and I have 2 questions:

1) to confirm what someone mentioned above...so if I'm interested in a project during summer between 1st and 2nd year and I have no idea what specialty I want to go into...if I get published or make a connection with that lab/research, it's still a valuable EC for when it comes time to apply for residency? I would have thought so, but just trying to make sure. Please confirm for me.

2) Does it matter if it's benchwork (lab work) vs. clinical research work? I wouldn't mind having some bench work time before diving into more clinically related stuff as a 4th year/resident/doctor.

Thanks,

JE