Clinical/translational research

[not so calm now]

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This is basically what kind of career I'm leaning towards right now.

Background : In college I worked with an MD/PhD and when he took another job I stayed in the Neurology department working with a PhD in a neuropsychology lab (3 years total, 1 pub, another under review, and 1 conference abstract). I graduated college in 07, worked a year in a behavioral neuroscience (rodent) lab as a tech and really didn't like it. Now I'm working in another neuropsych lab at a different school that I'm really enjoying (with PhDs). It just basically comes down to the fact that I love this field, love neuro research, love dealing with people and not rats, and I really could see myself doing similar research in the future.

My question to you guys: is it enough to have just an MD to be able to do this sort of research? Are there residency programs that are really pushing heavily in this direction? I'd love to work at a huge center with MDs, PhDs, together. Importantly, can you do this and not be involved with drug trials? If so, what kind of things can I do, other than I'm doing now, to get a head start on this?

I read the article "Training clinical researchers in neurology: we must do better" in Neurology, 2001. It was excellent, and really highlighted the problems that the field is facing. Any chance that it's going to get easier to do this sort of thing sooner? Thanks, I appreciate any advice you may have.

 

[buckley]

Technicaly yes, having an MD ought to be enough...but practically, no. Grants would really be more likely to come your way if you finished residency. It's also pretty hard to build a patient subject base without tying up with an academic medical center (which is something you said you liked) and almost all acad centers look for a done residency (fellowship too). Residenc also lets you be more exposed to the gamut of clinical cases to pique your interest (an extra push in that direction).

I do believe there is a strong need for clinician scientists. The bench to bedside transition really has some huge gaps right now. I would definitely recommend that you go ahead and go through with those dreams. I'm just feeling my way through myself, but if only to say go! go! go!----You have my support 🙂

 

[not so calm now]

Technicaly yes, having an MD ought to be enough...but practically, no. Grants would really be more likely to come your way if you finished residency. It's also pretty hard to build a patient subject base without tying up with an academic medical center (which is something you said you liked) and almost all acad centers look for a done residency (fellowship too). Residenc also lets you be more exposed to the gamut of clinical cases to pique your interest (an extra push in that direction).

I do believe there is a strong need for clinician scientists. The bench to bedside transition really has some huge gaps right now. I would definitely recommend that you go ahead and go through with those dreams. I'm just feeling my way through myself, but if only to say go! go! go!----You have my support 🙂

Haha, I meant just having an MD and not a PhD, too 🙂 I wasn't aware you could do much of anything with an MD and no residency or at least internship, but what do I know? Good luck in your endeavors as well.

Has anyone else been/going through this? Any other translational researchers out there with advice?