O
oneironaut
After they graduate from an MD/PhD program, do people go into post-docs (labs) or residencies? I'd put this in the allopath group, but I always forget to check there.
- Joined
- Nov 6, 1999
- Messages
- 1,709
- Reaction score
- 1
Thats the beauty of MD/PhD, you have the choice and can do either a postdoc or a residency after graduation.
I think the vast majority (i.e. greater than 80% or so) choose to do a residency however.
Most get residencies affiliated with urban academic medical centers; they also tend to go into specialties that have a heavy research focus.
I think the vast majority (i.e. greater than 80% or so) choose to do a residency however.
Most get residencies affiliated with urban academic medical centers; they also tend to go into specialties that have a heavy research focus.
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2001
- Messages
- 34
- Reaction score
- 1
I'm new here but as an MD/PhD student I thought I'd throw out my two cents. Most of the MD/PhD students I've talked to plan to go into research-oriented specialties and practice on a limited basis. I've heard that it's very hard to be good at both a clinical and (basic science) research field, and so many "concede" some clinical skills to their more experienced practicing colleagues in order to spend more time on their research. For these doctors, practice is a way "to see the effect of your research on patients." (not a direct quote but a conglomerized summary of what I've heard)
On the other hand, I've heard of MD/PhD candidates who have had enough of bench work and decide to focus their efforts on a clinical field, which more often than not is a specialty that has some research opportunities (Hem-Onc is one that comes to my mind). These doctors are full-time clinical practioners, who are able by their position and experience to help out with research in their clinical field.
Of course these are just generalizations, and I'm sure there are people who fall in the middle or to whatever extreme you can think of. I personally would like to practice a clinically-oriented specialty AND conduct basic science research -- in two different areas, no less. This may be overly optimistic, but it underscores the fact that a "reward" of taking the time to do both degrees is the diversity of opportunities within medicine that you can choose from afterwards.
That being said, I'm wondering if there are any current or former MD/PhD students out there who can comment on what they are planning to do (or currently doing) with their joint degrees...
On the other hand, I've heard of MD/PhD candidates who have had enough of bench work and decide to focus their efforts on a clinical field, which more often than not is a specialty that has some research opportunities (Hem-Onc is one that comes to my mind). These doctors are full-time clinical practioners, who are able by their position and experience to help out with research in their clinical field.
Of course these are just generalizations, and I'm sure there are people who fall in the middle or to whatever extreme you can think of. I personally would like to practice a clinically-oriented specialty AND conduct basic science research -- in two different areas, no less. This may be overly optimistic, but it underscores the fact that a "reward" of taking the time to do both degrees is the diversity of opportunities within medicine that you can choose from afterwards.
That being said, I'm wondering if there are any current or former MD/PhD students out there who can comment on what they are planning to do (or currently doing) with their joint degrees...
