FALCON76
Registered User
Posts: 1
(3/30/01 1:45:05 am)
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RESEARCH YEAR
I am thinking about doing a research year between my 3rd and 4th year. First, I am interested in
academic ortho and want to get some solid research experience. Second, I want to try to open some
doors for more residency programs. If anyone has just interviewed, how much of a factor does research
play? Is it just icing on the cake or can it help get your foot in the door? Is it a good idea to do
significant research at the best institution to try to rub shoulders with big name people in the field?
Along those lines, how important is it to get high profile ortho docs to write recommendations? Thanks.
Techno
Registered User
Posts: 9
(3/30/01 8:34:54 am)
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Research Year
I'm only a fourth-year medical student--not on any residency committee obviously--but these are my
personal feelings... If you are interested in academic ortho, a research year can be a great idea. However,
if you take a year off to do research, you better have at least a couple abstracts and publications by the
end of it. If you don't, then you've wasted a year. There are plenty of applicants on the interview trail
who are able to publish without taking a year off, and these applicants might seem more "capable" than
you simply because they were able to get their names on papers.
I think research can get your foot in the door if you are hugely published--i.e. four or more papers, a few
abstracts, presentations at national conferences, etc. It shows that you have some talent and may make
you a stand-out at the places you interview at. If you aren't that well-published, then you'll be like every
other orthopaedic schmoe who has published a case study or two. Everybody thinks they're a genius
because they have one or two publications by the end of medical school, but it's really not that hard.
As for where to do the research, it depends on what is available at your own institution. If you have a
good research facility, it couldn't hurt to stay at your own school. If you know you want to go to another
residency program, however, it might be a good idea to set up research there. During your research
year, you could make contacts with not just your PI, but the residency director, chairman, and residents.
You'll have plenty of time during the research year to attend grand rounds and resident conferences.
Doing research away can be like doing a sub-I away: If you don't turn in a good performance, then you'll
probably be shut out for residency consideration.
The answer for rec letters should be obvious to you: The more high profile the rec letter writer, the
better, but only if he knows you well. If somebody more junior can write a stronger letter, then go with
the junior attending.
hurricane26
Registered User
Posts: 7
(3/30/01 10:17:42 am)
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RESEARCH YEAR
I had absolutely nada/zero/zilch research/publications. I successfully matched (my first choice) at a
program that is a consensus "top ten" academic institution (see previous posting on the "top ten" topic).
I would get involved in some projects at your school and consider it "icing." Letters are huge!! Rub
elbows by doing an away month and not a whole year of research. Unless you plan to goof off and play
tons of golf in that year, it wouldn't be beneficial, in my opinion.
ezrider00
Registered User
Posts: 4
(3/30/01 10:40:22 am)
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Re: RESEARCH YEAR
This is a decision which needs to based upon your personal desires and current situation. I'm finishing
my research year, and I feel it was a great move. My medical school has a solid clinical ortho department,
but the research aspect of the program is marginal. I felt that I wanted to pursue an academic career
and, to that end, I should have some signifcant research under my belt before I applied. I found a
surgeon who needed a research assistant at an orthopedic hospital, got some funding, and went to
work. This year has been sweet: I published a number of papers/abstracts, scrubbed for about 5-10
cases a week, learned some musculoskeletal radiology, etc. In addition, I had a flexible schedule which
allowed me to travel and do some things that I had always wanted to, but never had the time. Bottom
line, it was a lot of fun. So do what appeals to you; if you want to do some research and your home
program is rock solid, then do it there. Do you need to take a year off? No. But you may want to
anyway, it's a great chance to explore what is out there.
FALCON76
Registered User
Posts: 2
(4/2/01 10:24:23 pm)
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Re: RESEARCH YEAR (ezrider00)
Thanks for the replies.
ezrider00:
I would like to hear more about your experience. I feel like I am in a similar situation as you. I want to get
some hard-core bench/clinical research experience in preparation for a career in academic ortho.
Which surgeon did you work for? Is he looking for more help? How were you able to find funding?
What's a good way to go about contacting orthopods outside my institution?
You can either post your response or email me at [url=mailto]
[email protected][/url].
Thanks,
FALCON76
