Everything you wanted to know about MD-PhD Programs but were afraid to ask
Jim Gorham, MD PhDDirector, The MD-PhD Program at the Geisel School of Medicine at [email protected]
Dartmouth CollegeMay 14, 2012
1. Physician-Scientist Career Paths
2. Preparing your application to MD-PhD Programs
3. Evaluating MD-PhD Programs
Part 1: Physician-Scientist Career PathsMD versus PhD versus MD-PhD
• Preclinical Phase• Clinical Phase• Graduation• Post-Graduate Internships/Residencies• Fellowships (Specialize)
MD Course of Training
PhD Course of Training• First Year
• Graduate Coursework• Lab Rotations, Choose Thesis Lab
• Second Year• Complete Graduate Coursework• Qualifying Examination
• Years 2-5• Full-Time Bench Research• Thesis Committee Meetings• Teaching Assistantships• Write Papers and Thesis• Thesis Defense
Mission: Provide integrated education and training of individuals to become physician-scientists
prepared to bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical medicine.
RESEARCH:• Basic Research• Disease-Oriented Research• Patient-Oriented Research• Population-Oriented Research
TEACHING:• Basic Science• Clinical Disciplines
CLINICAL MEDICINE:• Generalist
>Specialist
MD-PhD Training
WHAT IS THE MD-PhD OPTION?
CollegeStudent
Physician-Scientist
MD-PhD
MD
PhD
Pathways to become a Physician-Scientist or Clinical Investigator
ClinicalResearch
MD-PhD vs MD: Structured research training
What is special about MD-PhD education and training?
MD-PhD Training
MD-PhD vs PhD: Understanding of human biology(how normal and abnormal function result from complex interactions at many levels of specialization)
Clinicians’ perception of MD-PhD students?They all become basic scientists…
MD-PhD Training
Basic scientists’ perception of MD-PhD students?They all become clinicians…
Conclusion?We must be doing something right…
Differing perceptions of MD-PhD trainingand training outcomes
RESEARCH
CLINICAL MEDICINE
ADMINISTRATION
Student MD-PhD Training
BasicTranslational
ClinicalEpidemiologicalIndustrial R&D
AcademicIndustry
Public Policy
MD-PhD Training
ADVANTAGES:
DISADVANTAGES:
FULL FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
MD-PhD Training
Broad education in human biologyBroad range of career choices
Very long education and training Difficult-to-manage conflicting pressures from laboratory, clinical responsibilities, and family
Enables careers in academic medicine(but this is not a free lunch)
• Preclinical Coursework• Explore Research Opportunities• Laboratory Rotations• Choice of Thesis Advisor• National Board Exam• Clinical Clerkships
Preclinical Phase – Years 1-2
• Graduate Coursework
• Bench Research and Publication
• Explore Clinical Interests (medical specialties)
• -/+ Clinical Experience (limited)
Research Phase – Years 3-6
• Clinical Clerkships
• Residency Application
• Graduation
Clinical Phase – Years 7-8
• Medicine• Surgery (including subspecialties)• Ob/Gyn• Pediatrics• Neurology• Psychiatry• Primary Care
• Medicine Subinternship• Senior Electives
13-24 Months Total time
M3
Year
M4
Year
Clinical Phase – Years 7-8
MD-PhD vs MSTP• What is a Medical Scientist Training Program?
• 109 MD-PhD Programs (42 MSTPs, 67 non-MSTP)• NIH funded MSTP Training Grant
Part 2: Preparing your application. Making sure you are the applicant that programs will take a second look at
What MD-PhD Programs Seek•Strong academics (of course) •MCAT’s
Plus•Passion for Science•Research Experience•Clinical Experience•Leadership •Commitment to Serving Others
The To Do List
• Coursework• Research• Clinical Exposure• Community Service• Extras • Recommendations
Research - Academic Year Summer Opportunities Post-undergraduate
Posters, Oral Presentations & Publications
The MD-PhD ApplicationHow to get the coveted offer of acceptance…
MD-PhD Application• APPLY EARLY, APPLY EARLY, APPLY EARLY,
APPLY EARLY, APPLY EARLY!!• Universal MD-PhD application available on
AMCAS.• Personal Statements• Letters of recommendation• GPA and MCAT• Publications help• Secondary forms
Personal Statements Personal Statement –
• Individual characteristics, experiences and motivations for choosing a career as an MD/PhD. • Discuss unique life experiences or skills
Why I Want to be an MD/PhD – • Explain rationale for wanting to become an MD/PhD. • Discuss generally how you envision using the combined degree in the future (specifics not necessary).
Research Experience - • Describe any and all research experiences you have had.• Provide clear timelines for each experience• Discuss your role(s) in the research project.
The InterviewDuring the MD/PhD interview:• Try to talk with as many as possible research faculty in
your area of interest• Ask lots of questions to the students in the program –
they are the best indicator of whether a program has any major issues
• Be prepared to discuss your research in-depth You should know the big picture as well as the
experimental details• Be prepared to discuss your rationale for choosing the
MD/PhD track• Be personable
engage both the faculty and students in one-on-one conversation about science and extracurricular activities
AAMC - Admissions Data• About 2K MD/PhD applicants nationally
• Of these, about one-half (1K) are offered an interview with at least one MD-PhD Program.
• Of these, about 2/3rd are offered admission to at least one MD-PhD Program.
AAMC – National Statistics• Nationally, there are about:• 4,500 MD-PhD students, of which:
~12% are underrepresented minority ~40% are female
Part 3: Evaluating anMD-PhD ProgramIn which program will you not only survive but thrive
Location• Geography –
Close to family Housing availability, proximity,
affordability Variety of extracurricular activities Proximity to things that matter to you
School - Academics• Curriculum -
Preclinical coursework Clinical requirements (Clerkships/Electives)
• Patient populations and clinical facilities• Flexibility • Graduate Programs –
Coursework requirements # of required lab rotations
• Residency Placement of Alumni
Faculty• Are there sufficient faculty who share your
interests? • Is there a strong research community?• Collaboration• Training record (time to degree)
Strengths of MD-PhD Program• Program Director’s commitment to program• Administrative support• Support from Dean/Administration• Supplemental program opportunities -
seminars, lectures, programs, socials
Gut Feeling
In the end, you will almost certainly make your decision based on a gut feeling, and then find rational arguments to support it. And that is the way it should be.
Questions…Concerns?
The Complete Guide to theMD/PhD DegreeBen Rosner MD, PhDJayakar Nayak MD/PhDJ&S Publishing
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