MD/PhD Discussion 1
The following discussion is from our archives. It's a heated, but
meaningful discussion, that occurred when an MD/PhD
article on studentdoc.com in 2000.
KRISTIN writes: Since you mentioned the MD/PhD track, I
was just wondering if you have any advice for me, as I'm going to
try to get into that field. I'm getting my master's in chemistry,
at a fairly young age (I'll be done at 21), because I really like
research. I'd like to be able to teach eventually, but also want
to practice good medicine and research. Is there anything else I
should be doing?
Moderator: Having gone down the MD/PhD track myself I have
a lot to say on the topic. It sounds like you've got a good handle
on the basics: have a solid research history (1 or more publications
would be a great help), solid grades, a life outside the lab, and
have an understanding of what you're getting into.
Most MD/PhDs end up doing either research or medicine. Few can
do both well concurrently. I thought I'd be the exception, but I
wasn't - I haven't met the exception from my generation yet. That
means doing A LOT of soul searching before committing to an MD/PhD
program.
Remember, almost all MDs interested in research will do a sub-specialty
fellowship. Since a large component of that fellowship is research,
you get your research fix and qualifications. It also means that
you're a qualified researcher and clinician much earlier than you
would if you went the MD/PhD route. If a faculty search committee
looks at a candidate who took 12 years for an MD/PhD with residency
and compares that to a candidate who took 12 years for an MD/residency/fellowship
- the MD/fellow almost always wins. For a clinical department, the
specialist brings very specific expertise and the ability to bill.
You'll have to decide for yourself if an MD/PhD program makes sense.
If you do choose to do an MD/PhD, I'd look for the combination of
a good medical school and a good graduate school, in a place you
can live.
I'd be happy to spout more on the MD/PhD track, just get me started.
KRISTIN: Wow, thanks...I think given your recommendations
in terms of the requirements, I might be okay for an MD/PhD. I've
got about a 3.6 GPA,and lots of research experience already, plus
what I'll get during my MS. I'm on the swim team for my school,
and should have some solid recommendations from both my thesis advisor
and people I've worked for in industry. But now that you've mentioned
the MD/fellow being better than the MD/PhD in the MD world, I was
wondering under what circumstances the MD/PhD is better..I know
that a lot of times a tuition stipend is given, but that's not really
a motivation for my going into the program. Ideally, I'd like to
be able to practice medicine, and then either teach or research
at a university. Is this really the best route for me? Why would/wouldn't
it be? I hadn't really thought about the other options in terms
of my degree, as no one had really pointed them out to me...thanks
for making me think about it.
Continued in the next MD/PhD
discussion
Main MD/PhD page
Moderator: So I've spent some time thinking about when an
MD/PhD is useful, and when it's not. If I were you, I would talk
face to face to some MDs, some PhDs and some MD/PhDs, to get a variety
of opinions. Here's my experience.
- Doing my PhD gave me a great basic science background, even
compared to most MD/fellows. I have a better understanding of the
issues and techniques associated with my basic science field than
almost any straight MD does.
- I have a much worse understanding of the clinical problems that
need research. Many non-clinicians can make significant advances
in clinical fields, but often any clinical problem seems worth studying
- even though it might be an unimportant one.
- After I finished my PhD and returned to 3rd year med school,
I had 2 professors in internal medicine who had started medical
school with me. I had several surgical residents who taught me.
In a way it was nice because as a 3rd year I got to do a lot more
than I might otherwise have. Of course, had I gone straight medicine
I would have been teaching or doing surgery by then.
- The stipend you get as an MD/PhD is trivial. Definitely don't
let that sway you one way or another. It's just a way of keeping
you eating while you're in lab.
- Will the extra 4-6 years in a PhD program help you reach your
ultimate goal of teaching, doing research and practicing medicine?
It could, but is the incremental improvement in opportunity worth
the extra time? That's subjective, but for me the answer is no.
If I had things to do over again, I'd go either straight PhD or
straight MD.
Again, get a variety of opinions - and make sure to ask specific
questions because the answers change when you start pressing for
specifics.
KRISTIN: Thank you again! I actually paid a visit today
to one of the medical schools on my list, and tried to do as you
suggested. I talked to the admissions personnel for the program,
and asked them very straightforward questions regarding where each
of the options (MD/PhD vs. MD/fellow) will take me. I know I have
a lot of thinking to do, as I'm still not sure if I A) want to make
a choice between clinician and researcher and B) what the choice
would be. I very much want to practice medicine, which is what makes
me think the MD/PhD might not be the best for me. From what the
admissions people and some of the professors from both the medicine
and biochemistry people said, most that opt for the dual degree
end up doing about a 80/20 research/clinical ratio. That sort of
bothers me...I really like dealing with people, and more directly
helping them. However, I like the idea of being at the very source
of a solution as well..hence why I need to think about this a lot.
As of now, I'm leaning towards the MD option...like you, many dual-degree-ers
that I've talked to have said that they would do one or the other.
What I'm most afraid of is getting through the 8 years or so needed
for the dual degree, and not liking research as much as I do now...but
I also don't want to entirely shut out the opportunity to be a great
scientist. Please feel free to tell me anything that might help..you've
really given me a lot to think about so far. Thank you again!
