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Everything you wanted to know about MD-PhD Programs but were afraid to ask Jim Gorham, MD PhD Director, The MD-PhD Program at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth James.D.Gorham@Dartmouth.edu 603-650-8373 Dartmouth College May 14, 2012
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1.Physician-Scientist Career Paths 2.Preparing your application to MD-PhD Programs 3.Evaluating MD-PhD Programs
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Part 1: Physician- Scientist Career Paths MD versus PhD versus MD-PhD
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Preclinical Phase Clinical Phase Graduation Post-Graduate Internships/Residencies Fellowships (Specialize) MD Course of Training
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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
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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?
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College Student Physician- Scientist MD-PhD MD PhD Pathways to become a Physician-Scientist or Clinical Investigator Clinical Research
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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 )
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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 training and training outcomes
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RESEARCH CLINICAL MEDICINE ADMINISTRATION Student MD-PhD Training Basic Translational Clinical Epidemiological Industrial R&D Academic Industry Public Policy MD-PhD Training
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ADVANTAGES: DISADVANTAGES: FULL FINANCIAL SUPPORT: MD-PhD Training Broad education in human biology Broad 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)
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Preclinical Coursework Explore Research Opportunities Laboratory Rotations Choice of Thesis Advisor National Board Exam Clinical Clerkships Preclinical Phase – Years 1-2
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Graduate Coursework Bench Research and Publication Explore Clinical Interests (medical specialties) -/+ Clinical Experience (limited) Research Phase – Years 3-6
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Clinical Clerkships Residency Application Graduation Clinical Phase – Years 7-8
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Medicine Surgery (including subspecialties) Ob/Gyn Pediatrics Neurology Psychiatry Primary Care Medicine Subinternship Senior Electives 13-24 MonthsTotal time M3 Year M4 Year Clinical Phase – Years 7-8
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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
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Part 2: Preparing your application. Making sure you are the applicant that programs will take a second look at
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What MD-PhD Programs Seek Strong academics (of course) MCAT’s Plus Passion for Science Research Experience Clinical Experience Leadership Commitment to Serving Others
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The To Do List Coursework Research Clinical Exposure Community Service Extras Recommendations
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Research - Academic Year Summer Opportunities Post-undergraduate
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Posters, Oral Presentations & Publications
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The MD-PhD Application How to get the coveted offer of acceptance…
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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
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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.
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The Interview During 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
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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 2/3 rd are offered admission to at least one MD-PhD Program.
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AAMC – National Statistics Nationally, there are about: 4,500 MD-PhD students, of which: ~12% are underrepresented minority ~40% are female
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Part 3: Evaluating an MD-PhD Program In which program will you not only survive but thrive
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Location Geography – Close to family Housing availability, proximity, affordability Variety of extracurricular activities Proximity to things that matter to you
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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
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Faculty Are there sufficient faculty who share your interests? Is there a strong research community? Collaboration Training record (time to degree)
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Strengths of MD-PhD Program Program Director’s commitment to program Administrative support Support from Dean/Administration Supplemental program opportunities - seminars, lectures, programs, socials
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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.
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Questions…Concerns? The Complete Guide to the MD/PhD Degree Ben Rosner MD, PhD Jayakar Nayak MD/PhD J&S Publishing
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