What are the main differences between MD/PhD and just PhD?

[KTiger1000]

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Hi all,

So I'm an international student studying in the U.S., and going into my senior year. I'm facing a crossroad in life as I have to choose what to go into after I graduate. I am very interested in medical research, and so I'm looking at my options here. I know that there are PhD programs for pharmacology, and there are MD/PhD programs. My question is, do they lead to very different career paths? I know that with an MD/PhD, you can also see patients in addition to doing medical research. However, as far as my research career goes, does getting a PhD suffice? I'm asking because

1. I don't know about PhD in pharmacology but MD/PhD programs are hard to get in, especially for internationals;

2. it sounds like a MD/PhD is going to take a significantly longer time to obtain, considering 7-8yrs of school, 3 yrs of residency, 3-4 yrs post doc fellowship;

3. Even most MD/PhD physician-scientists spend most of their time doing medical research, but isn't that what PhD pharmacologists do? Do the former just make more money than the latter, or are they essencially the same?

 

[JoshSt]

Very different, you need to talk to advisors in person regarding this matter. MD with or without PhD is worlds different than a PhD path. You should observe physicians to see if patient care interests you (ie, MD).

1. In terms of acceptance, in order of ease, Phd < MD < MD/PhD.

2. Most MD/PhDs would choose to do a fellowship related to their residency, not a postdoctoral fellowship related to their PhD.

3. MD/PhD can choose to do purely research but many, if not most, choose to bear clinical responsibilities. MD's with or without any additional degree will make more at baseline than a PhD. This is because of the MD's clinical responsibilities.

You need to physically observe both, don't make life judgements based on internet research. If patient care does not interest you, there's little to no point in pursuing an MD.

 

[KTiger1000]

Very different, you need to talk to advisors in person regarding this matter. MD with or without PhD is worlds different than a PhD path. You should observe physicians to see if patient care interests you (ie, MD).

1. In terms of acceptance, in order of ease, Phd < MD < MD/PhD.

2. Most MD/PhDs would choose to do a fellowship related to their residency, not a postdoctoral fellowship related to their PhD.

3. MD/PhD can choose to do purely research but many, if not most, choose to bear clinical responsibilities. MD's with or without any additional degree will make more at baseline than a PhD. This is because of the MD's clinical responsibilities.

You need to physically observe both, don't make life judgements based on internet research. If patient care does not interest you, there's little to no point in pursuing an MD.

JoshSt,

Thanks for your input. I have not thought about the MD path before because of all the restrictions on international students when it comes to applying to medical schools. However, I plan on doing some shadowing and volunteering work to help me decide. However, I guess what I really want to to know is, if I hold a phD in pharmacology, can I do medical research? And how is that different from MD/phD's research? Patient care aside.

 

[JoshSt]

JoshSt,

Thanks for your input. I have not thought about the MD path before because of all the restrictions on international students when it comes to applying to medical schools. However, I plan on doing some shadowing and volunteering work to help me decide. However, I guess what I really want to to know is, if I hold a phD in pharmacology, can I do medical research? And how is that different from MD/phD's research? Patient care aside.

Yes, you can definitely do medical research without an MD. Many medical schools employ both MDs and PhDs and many to most of those PhDs do medically related research.

 

[IonClaws]

One has an MD.

The other does not.