What IS MD/PhD?

[coriannegirl]

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Hi! I'm a new poster here, and I don't understand the difference between an MD/PhD and doing "clinical research." As a first generation college student, I'm a little overwhelmed with so many choice in the medical sciences. I'm interested in practicing medicine as well as doing research. I'm very familiar with research (worked in a neuro lab for 2 years, worked at NIH for 2 years, am currently working in an o chem lab), and I know I'm motivated enough for another 7-8 years. My question is: What can you do with an MD/PhD? Would I be confined to work in academia or could I also practice? I'm interested in becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon, doing developmental neuroscience research and teaching. Is this a realistic career goal?

Thanks.

 

[neoserenity333]

MD/PhD and "clinical research" are not entities of the same level such that you can necessarily compare them. MD/PhD is a combined degree of MD (clinical training) and PhD (research training, in most cases). Biomedical research can be divided into three rough categories: clinical, translational, basic. Someone with an MD/PhD can do any type of research listed above, but so can a scientifically-inclined straight MD. Of course, PhD's are restricted from direct patient contact, but they are often involved in the basic and sometimes translational aspects of biomedical research.

To address your questions:
Career options for you would include, but are not limited to: academic medicine (potentially balancing research & the clinic), teaching, pure clinic, pure research at any level, and industry.

You will find that most people mildly scoff at the idea of succeeding in all three of the activities you mentioned (practicing physician, researching, and teaching). This is because we are human and there are only 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week. Most people who do a combination of the three tend to devote more time to one thing (e.g., 80% research/20% clinic). I think it's a great goal that you have, and you should not let go of your dreams. Just be aware of the practical and realistic challenges that lie ahead.

I hope that helps.

 

[mjs]

You like medicine and science and have some ambition, so that's the starting point. Here is some info.

The basics
details

My advice is find some people who have done/are doing this and talk to them in a non-message board setting. Make some sense of their range of opinions. It'll either make sense to apply or it won't.