<p>Is it possible to become a PI with just an MD? Or to do research in some capacity while still being active on a clinical level? What if my research interests are non-translational? Any feedback is welcome (and very much appreciated)!</p>
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<p>Absolutely. Challenging, since you do not have the research training of a PhD and post doc, but plenty of people do this.</p>
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<p>Certainly. And very common at academic medical centers.</p>
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<p>Harder, since the time you spend staying up to date clinically does not help you do your research. But it certainly can be done.</p>
<p>Worry about this as you decide whether to do MD or MD, PhD. The latter is a good route if you are sure you want to do research, particularly if you are aiming at more basic research.</p>
<p>It sounds like your interests might be PhD-only?</p>
<p>Or MD/PhD might fit well.</p>
<p>Well, I am not too keen on doing MD/PhD for a couple reasons:
- I feel like MD/PhD is for those with more translational research interests (I like more basic science/theory, much more on the biochem side than immuno/neuro/cell bio).
- Time- I don’t want to spend the rest of my life switching between being a student, postdoc, and intern/resident. Although I realize my goals require a lot of time, effort, and patience, I do like the faint hope of having a personal life, starting a family, etc. (unrealistic as that may be…). </p>
<p>I also feel I’m not more MD nor PhD inclined; I think I’d enjoy being both a doctor and a researcher. However, I feel that as an MD I may be able to do research while as a PhD I would definitely not be able to practice medicine (and I don’t like MD/PhD for the reasons above). So are my dreams delirious/unfeasible/impractical/absolutely crazy? Glimmer of hope, ne?</p>
<p>Same debate here Jakor. Still got a few years to figure it out thought (I do anyway).</p>