Why do an MD/PhD?

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biophysicianai

Full Member
10+ Year Member
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I have long been, and still am, convinced that I'd like to pursue an MD/PhD. When I reveal this interest, however, a curious "why" always follows.

I'm told repeatedly that I need not have an MD if I'm going to do research, and I need not have a PhD if I'm going to practice. If I intend to do a combination of both, an MD suffices, as MDs routinely do research while practicing. As for academic medicine, the notion that an MD/PhD makes you "more attractive" as a candidate for a such post seems to be a (less caricatured) way of saying "I wanna get a mudphud so I can look smart."

So, what use is an MD/PhD?

Maybe I have the "pre-app blues"😎, but I'm beginning to doubt the aspirations I've had for quite some time now. What advantages does the dual-degree confer?