Medical Thread

[BarakzaiAbdali]

I was of the opinion that the Afghan schools may be under-equipped and therefore slightly inferior. Am I right in making that judgement? Thanks wrora.

You are 100% correct in this.

Nangrahar has little facility to work with and Kandahar has zero facilities. I tried to forge a link there years ago and get equipments etc sent there, but Education Minister Fayaz was a lazy good for nothing and did not at all respond to my enquiries, despite repeated messages and calls. The sponsors all backed out as a result. Qayyum Karzai was equally inept and sent a cursory response without any followup, and was more focused on rebuilding the battered power structure of the Popalzai tribe while paying lip service through Sarah Chayes, to the cause of Afghan education; she eventually also figured out as I had been telling her for years, that they were hollow carcasses (his nephew Yama was quick to remind me that the Barakzai were out of power for good despite me not wanting or caring for a role at all in any governance.) Tooryalai Wesa, a fellow Barakzai, was a bit more open, but that was before he left and became involved in the illegitimate government of Afghanistan. They are working on creating Kandahar University, but that, like most of their other projects, it will fail. Here is recent proof for this:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...010302175.html

The title of the article is: US Funded Intrastructure Deteriorates Once under Afghan Control.


Moreover, with the tempo of the war reaching a fever pitch, it will be years before Afghanistan sends viable candidates that can compete with their KP brethren. Hopefully, we can change this when Afghanistan earns its freedom from these nonmeritorous, feudalistic folks that were lazy here in the US and continue to be lazy and condescending there. We will work together to make it a bastion of education that creates cross border fertilization and ties the Pashtun doctors on both sides of the border to one another. Imagine how exciting it will be when a colleague in Peshawar refers his patient to a cardiologist in Jalalabad or Qandahar and vice versa.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...010302175.html

However, the silver lining is that Khybar Medical retains a few seats for tribal folks and Afghans.

[Zarmeena]

"
There are a few steps you need to take. First, you are not at the fixed end point yet where you have to not follow your dream. If you say to yourself “well, it looks as if 5 years or so from now I won’t have the money to go to medical school, and my parents won’t me take interest loans, so the dream is over”; then you end up psyching yourself out. "

thank you for responding to me i really appreciate it. i am almost done with my premed and i am just worried since i dont know if i will be accepted or not nor do i have a second plan set up. i still dont know how i am going pay for med school. i come from a super religious family roaara.

"
I wish I had more info about you so I could hone my answer, but I will assume you are still in the high school phase based only on the wording of your question. You might very well be in college already.
* I will address high school level efforts in another post. *"

yes i am in college

"

1) Go to school at a university. It does not matter if it is University of Connecticut, NYU, University of Cincinnati, Johns Hopkins, etc. Sure some colleges like Harvard and YaleUniversities will give you a leg up, but any university will set the stage for your efforts. Usually, this part of your career is manageable financially. It does not even matter if it is a local liberal arts school like Quinnipiac, Bryn Mawr, or wherever. Find out if they put at least some folks into some medical school somewhere. Avoid community college unless it is a financial issue and a bridge to college/university. Many schools understand that the latter is necessary for those with financial difficulties to bridge them over to a university eventually. I have a friend who is in neurosurgery. He and I attended medical school together. First, he was with the US army, then he was sweeping floors as a janitor, then he went to community college, and he worked his way up into a university. He applied to medical school and his accomplishments and story were enough to seal the deal. "


i cant afford nyu or its like. I attend an ordinary 4 year college.



3) *Once you show your merit with steps 1 and 2 above, doors will open up, I promise. For example, the Cleveland Clinic, one of the world’s top 3 hospitals has a medical school now with FULL tuition paid for its students. The caveat is that you devote an extra year to research as it is a five year program. However, I think that a year doing some prestigious research work is well worth it. In fact, many fellowship level physicians opt to do this just to make themselves more lucrative to academia. There are other schools like Mayo that may follow suit. If you work extremely hard my friend, you can make it. Also, if you are smart enough to get into medical school, which Masha-Allah you are, you just need to search out that part of you that is your drive and harness it. Learn to love studying your books. Take them with you everywhere you go. You are a Pashtoon my friend; look at this as your own personal struggle to succeed and you will do so with Allah’s help. Also, many medical schools have internal scholarships that are competitive, but that pay for nearly full years worth of medical schooling. We had a local scholarship covered by the parents of a young medical student that died in car crash. A friend of mine won that scholarship and had a year paid for. Once you get in you will have shown enough smarts to do that, so you certainly will be competitive enough for such things.

how can i prepare myself for that school? also what if i dont get accepted. i still dont know how to pay for my tuition.

my dad has spoken to many mullahs and they all said the minute the intention of interest gets involved where it cumulates interest or not is haram. brother i am very worried plz help me.

[BarakzaiAbdali]

Brakzai bro, your forgetting one thing... in the UK those of us who choose to go into family medicine can be independently practising by the time we are 28 years old... I dont think you can do that in the States this is because it is of all the specialities the one that requires the least post grad training yet pays the most!

US track into family med:

26 years old when MD obtained in US on average... 3 years family medicine residency = attending in family medicine at the age of 29, so you have us beat by by one year. If a US student goes to Britain and comes back he adds that year on anyway trying to get his stuff together to get back into our system, putting him at 29 years old when all is said and done. The American that goes to Khybar adds on average 2 years landing him at 30. In the coming years with the Obama Healthcare plan the system will move toward the British model, but incorporate PAs, and NPs, etc. The PMD (primary care medical doctor) will accumulate a bit more clout.

[BarakzaiAbdali]

"
There are a few steps you need to take. First, you are not at the fixed end point yet where you have to not follow your dream. If you say to yourself “well, it looks as if 5 years or so from now I won’t have the money to go to medical school, and my parents won’t me take interest loans, so the dream is over”; then you end up psyching yourself out. "

thank you for responding to me i really appreciate it. i am almost done with my premed and i am just worried since i dont know if i will be accepted or not nor do i have a second plan set up. i still dont know how i am going pay for med school. i come from a super religious family roaara.

"
I wish I had more info about you so I could hone my answer, but I will assume you are still in the high school phase based only on the wording of your question. You might very well be in college already.
* I will address high school level efforts in another post. *"

yes i am in college

"

1) Go to school at a university. It does not matter if it is University of Connecticut, NYU, University of Cincinnati, Johns Hopkins, etc. Sure some colleges like Harvard and YaleUniversities will give you a leg up, but any university will set the stage for your efforts. Usually, this part of your career is manageable financially. It does not even matter if it is a local liberal arts school like Quinnipiac, Bryn Mawr, or wherever. Find out if they put at least some folks into some medical school somewhere. Avoid community college unless it is a financial issue and a bridge to college/university. Many schools understand that the latter is necessary for those with financial difficulties to bridge them over to a university eventually. I have a friend who is in neurosurgery. He and I attended medical school together. First, he was with the US army, then he was sweeping floors as a janitor, then he went to community college, and he worked his way up into a university. He applied to medical school and his accomplishments and story were enough to seal the deal. "


i cant afford nyu or its like. I attend an ordinary 4 year college.



3) *Once you show your merit with steps 1 and 2 above, doors will open up, I promise. For example, the Cleveland Clinic, one of the world’s top 3 hospitals has a medical school now with FULL tuition paid for its students. The caveat is that you devote an extra year to research as it is a five year program. However, I think that a year doing some prestigious research work is well worth it. In fact, many fellowship level physicians opt to do this just to make themselves more lucrative to academia. There are other schools like Mayo that may follow suit. If you work extremely hard my friend, you can make it. Also, if you are smart enough to get into medical school, which Masha-Allah you are, you just need to search out that part of you that is your drive and harness it. Learn to love studying your books. Take them with you everywhere you go. You are a Pashtoon my friend; look at this as your own personal struggle to succeed and you will do so with Allah’s help. Also, many medical schools have internal scholarships that are competitive, but that pay for nearly full years worth of medical schooling. We had a local scholarship covered by the parents of a young medical student that died in car crash. A friend of mine won that scholarship and had a year paid for. Once you get in you will have shown enough smarts to do that, so you certainly will be competitive enough for such things.

how can i prepare myself for that school? also what if i dont get accepted. i still dont know how to pay for my tuition.

my dad has spoken to many mullahs and they all said the minute the intention of interest gets involved where it cumulates interest or not is haram. brother i am very worried plz help me.

Salaamoona Zarmeena. I am currently at work at outpatient clinic and taking a little break per the above rapid fire responses. However, I want to answer yours with some very deep thought tonight (hopefully) or tomorrow. I need to stew on this and think about it so I do not answer it with haste and cause you any further problem. This is a delicate situation and wrong advice on my part would not help your cause. I respect your izaat for your parents and family and will try to work out something equitable.

A few more questions:

Did you take the MCAT yet?
You are likely going to submit the AMCAS at the end of the year, right? Does this mean you are a third year college student?
Are you a biology major?
Are you from greater Pashtunkhwa in Afghanistan or Khybar Pashtunkhwa in Pakistan? (The latter question only has to do with me discussing various options.)
Does your college put people into medical school?
How many state medical schools are in your state?
What state is it? (I only ask because we can work together to see what the instate options/probabilities are)

[BarakzaiAbdali]

Dear Zarmeenay,

Regarding the medical school issue:

If you feel like your application is lacking, then you can either private message me and tell me where you think you will get scrutinized or you can post on here. We can then work through this together. The other option is to do take a year long breather and strengthen your application at a post bacc program like this excellent one at the NIH (National Institutes of Health) called the IRTA fellowship that has a proven track record of folks going on to medical school:

https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/postbac_irta
https://www.training.nih.gov/resourc...s/postbac_irta

To prepare for applying to this, you ought to get involved in a research project at your school or local major academic center. If this is an option, write back and I can instruct you on how to strengthen your prospects for such a program, as applications can be competitive. Folks from all sorts of background can find their niche at the NIH, which is a research powerhouse. People like Elias Zerhouni MD, Francis Collins MD, and the editor of Harrison’s Textbook of Internal Medicine, Dr. Anthony Fauci MD, are all located there. Working with them is enlightening, you get some pay, and you can get a good recommendation that helps your chances.

This may give you some extra time to really decide on how to resolve issues around the cost of medical schooling. Some prior suggestions that I reiterate include getting something in your hand, including the admission letters and asking folks in your community who are known to be wealthy and giving, for an Islamic Loan. The other option is to take subsidized governmental loans where the government pays the interest until you graduate. Then, in the meantime, as you progress through medical schooling, you can find such a benefactor and have them pay off the balance of the loan at your graduation, instituting an Islamic Loan agreement between you and them. Finally, another option we ought to explore is the availability of Islamic Banking organizations within the US and their capability to help out. I would think that putting a student through medical schooling represent a more solid investment than a mortgage since they would be paying for the education of a future doctor. The fact that 99% of people get through medical school should provide even more of an incentive that this is a safe thing for them.

You see, the difficult thing about all of this is that just two decades ago, American medical schools were a good old boys club, with the tradition being passed on from father to son. Eventually, this oligarchial process was broken. The problem with the loan issue is that this threatens to restrict the medical school seats to the very wealthy and keep those that are meritorious, but lacking in such resources, out of the system. This then creates intellectual stagnation, feudalism, and sustained oligarchy.

However, this was not the goal of the ban on interest. Yusuf Ali, the renowned Quranic translator has generally been censored by modern editors because he viewed charging interest as a sin, but not paying it in accordance with Western financial challenges presented to Muslim immigrant populations. You can read this view of his in the foot notes to Surah Baqrah in the original unedited translations he released. His ideology probably rested on the aforementioned issue that I raised regarding a clamp hold that the very rich or very feudal can put on the advancement of the masses. I personally think that the ban does extend to both taking and giving interest primarily because the utilization of it has created a world society that drowns in perpetual debt and is beholden to the world powers in a constant state of slavery. The ban on interest is a state of civil disobedience meant to break this yolk.

This all comes down to you applying and getting in at some point though. You need not hunt down these resources only to find yourself in a position of not being able to ask for these resources.

Another option is the Khybar Medical Pathway which many religious folks before you have taken. It will involve going abroad and returning into the system will be somewhat of a challenge, but is very doable. As a US citizen you will have a pretty good chance of doing so.

Unfortunately, the student loan debt issue permeates many of the professional schooling pathways, from the MD to the MBA to the JD route. It is quiet probably becoming a second mini bubble of sorts. The unfortunate thing about it is that you cannot write these loans off or declare bankruptcy.

Once again, those of you who are physicians or aspiring physicians, from Zarmeenas case you can see the challenges facing the ummah. Many of us get into the field and end up living lives of luxury, forgetting about the struggle involved. We need to be active in importing knowledge back to Pashtunistan and we also need to be active in coming up with capital and creative solutions to these issues.

[BarakzaiAbdali]

Perhaps we need to touch base with Sheikh Hamza Yusuf and Ingrid Mattson regarding options and views for youngsters in the USA. The latter is local Connecticut. I do not agree with everything Sheikh Yusuf says, but he appears to have genuine intentions and is a studied individual.

[Zarmeena]

Salaamoona Zarmeena. I am currently at work at outpatient clinic and taking a little break per the above rapid fire responses. However, I want to answer yours with some very deep thought tonight (hopefully) or tomorrow. I need to stew on this and think about it so I do not answer it with haste and cause you any further problem. This is a delicate situation and wrong advice on my part would not help your cause. I respect your izaat for your parents and family and will try to work out something equitable.

A few more questions:

Did you take the MCAT yet?
You are likely going to submit the AMCAS at the end of the year, right? Does this mean you are a third year college student?
Are you a biology major?
Are you from greater Pashtunkhwa in Afghanistan or Khybar Pashtunkhwa in Pakistan? (The latter question only has to do with me discussing various options.)
Does your college put people into medical school?
How many state medical schools are in your state?
What state is it? (I only ask because we can work together to see what the instate options/probabilities are)

no i havent taken mcat yet.
yes i am 3rd year.
no i am not.
I am from afghanistan.
no the college just does not.
I am from CT so I dont know.
Connecticut

I also come from a very strict family. being a woman its hard to convince that I will be in debt for hundred thousand dollar.

[Zarmeena]

Regarding the medical school issue:

If you feel like your application is lacking, then you can either private message me and tell me where you think you will get scrutinized or you can post on here. We can then work through this together. The other option is to do take a year long breather and strengthen your application at a post bacc program like this excellent one at the NIH (National Institutes of Health) called the IRTA fellowship that has a proven track record of folks going on to medical school:

https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/postbac_irta
https://www.training.nih.gov/resourc...s/postbac_irta


To prepare for applying to this, you ought to get involved in a research project at your school or local major academic center. If this is an option, write back and I can instruct you on how to strengthen your prospects for such a program, as applications can be competitive. Folks from all sorts of background can find their niche at the NIH, which is a research powerhouse. People like Elias Zerhouni MD, Francis Collins MD, and the editor of Harrison’s Textbook of Internal Medicine, Dr. Anthony Fauci MD, are all located there. Working with them is enlightening, you get some pay, and you can get a good recommendation that helps your chances.

i will inquire about this and research to see what happen but i cant just depend on this. probably millions are applying.


This may give you some extra time to really decide on how to resolve issues around the cost of medical schooling. Some prior suggestions that I reiterate include getting something in your hand, including the admission letters and asking folks in your community who are known to be wealthy and giving, for an Islamic Loan. The other option is to take subsidized governmental loans where the government pays the interest until you graduate. Then, in the meantime, as you progress through medical schooling, you can find such a benefactor and have them pay off the balance of the loan at your graduation, instituting an Islamic Loan agreement between you and them. Finally, another option we ought to explore is the availability of Islamic Banking organizations within the US and their capability to help out. I would think that putting a student through medical schooling represent a more solid investment than a mortgage since they would be paying for the education of a future doctor. The fact that 99% of people get through medical school should provide even more of an incentive that this is a safe thing for them. i spoke to my dad about the above and he does not want to ask people for money. my father is against banks and the concept of interest. even the islamic banks say they will charge interest if not paid. and some say they will charge interest but they will give the interest as zakaat. either way interest is involved and my dad dont want to do that.


Another option is the Khybar Medical Pathway which many religious folks before you have taken. It will involve going abroad and returning into the system will be somewhat of a challenge, but is very doable. As a US citizen you will have a pretty good chance of doing so.

i cant leave the country.


i am really thinking of not becoming a doctor since there is no way my parents can afford such high money and i dont want to graduate premed and not attend med school and i wont find a good job.

[Zarmeena]

n also thank u for responding. i very appreciate it.

[BarakzaiAbdali]

How easy it is from MBBS of Pakistan to come to USA?

It is being done every year in the droves. In the coming years (5 to 10 years), the New York City hospitals will likely be forced to curb the number of foreign grads they accept. That is likely because the number of American grads will increase across the nation.

However, the trek is arduous. It involves having a plan, doing extremely well on the USMLE 1, 2, 3, and finally, making sure you go through the application process in the right way.

To give you an idea, the average American grad has to apply to about 10 or so Internal Medicine programs to feel safe. The average MBBS grad ends up applying to about 60 or so and gets just a little over a handful of interviews at schools/sites that are less than capable for setting one up to acquire a competitive subspeciality fellowship.

Moreover,the cost is a factor. However, the various foreign grads have set up networks and end up housing/helping each other and getting each other observerships that give them a better chance.

[BarakzaiAbdali]

Regarding the medical school issue:

If you feel like your application is lacking, then you can either private message me and tell me where you think you will get scrutinized or you can post on here. We can then work through this together. The other option is to do take a year long breather and strengthen your application at a post bacc program like this excellent one at the NIH (National Institutes of Health) called the IRTA fellowship that has a proven track record of folks going on to medical school:

https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/postbac_irta
https://www.training.nih.gov/resourc...s/postbac_irta


To prepare for applying to this, you ought to get involved in a research project at your school or local major academic center. If this is an option, write back and I can instruct you on how to strengthen your prospects for such a program, as applications can be competitive. Folks from all sorts of background can find their niche at the NIH, which is a research powerhouse. People like Elias Zerhouni MD, Francis Collins MD, and the editor of Harrison’s Textbook of Internal Medicine, Dr. Anthony Fauci MD, are all located there. Working with them is enlightening, you get some pay, and you can get a good recommendation that helps your chances.

i will inquire about this and research to see what happen but i cant just depend on this. probably millions are applying.


This may give you some extra time to really decide on how to resolve issues around the cost of medical schooling. Some prior suggestions that I reiterate include getting something in your hand, including the admission letters and asking folks in your community who are known to be wealthy and giving, for an Islamic Loan. The other option is to take subsidized governmental loans where the government pays the interest until you graduate. Then, in the meantime, as you progress through medical schooling, you can find such a benefactor and have them pay off the balance of the loan at your graduation, instituting an Islamic Loan agreement between you and them. Finally, another option we ought to explore is the availability of Islamic Banking organizations within the US and their capability to help out. I would think that putting a student through medical schooling represent a more solid investment than a mortgage since they would be paying for the education of a future doctor. The fact that 99% of people get through medical school should provide even more of an incentive that this is a safe thing for them. i spoke to my dad about the above and he does not want to ask people for money. my father is against banks and the concept of interest. even the islamic banks say they will charge interest if not paid. and some say they will charge interest but they will give the interest as zakaat. either way interest is involved and my dad dont want to do that.


Another option is the Khybar Medical Pathway which many religious folks before you have taken. It will involve going abroad and returning into the system will be somewhat of a challenge, but is very doable. As a US citizen you will have a pretty good chance of doing so.

i cant leave the country.


i am really thinking of not becoming a doctor since there is no way my parents can afford such high money and i dont want to graduate premed and not attend med school and i wont find a good job.

Connecticut is a difficult state to apply in currently, with the options being Yale and University of Connecticut. States like Ohio and other midwestern/southern states are prime territory. However, we are in the process of helping Quinappiac lay the groundwork for a new medical school in the area.

I would recommend that you at least prepare for and take the MCAT. If you do very well on it, (score of 35 or so) then you should be a slam dunk and have a good case to apply. Otherwise, consider the GRE for PA school. Other folks on here that are applying in those directions can help out.

If you read my earlier threads, there are less expensive options that still can help you achieve patient care, like DO school, PA school, etc. These are less expensive routes and other avenues in case you feel that your application may be a tough sell.

Another way to ensure that you do not end up jobless, is to try and make your major a practical one. For example, Molecular Biology does lay the groundwork for a PhD route, however, an engineering major or a business major etc, can still be utilized to apply to medicine with, but then you have a backup plan in place as well.

[BarakzaiAbdali]

BarakzaiAbdali what are prereqs for PA programs?

I think Laila is more familiar with the prereqs and process and can probably chime in. However, it appears to be a biology degree style pathway though some places are asking for biostatistics per the PA that works in my ward. The GRE is also the exam that is required for PA school. However, I do not want to talk out of my element as incorrect guidance would not benefit you... so I defer to Laila or someone who is going through that process.

[Laila]

BarakzaiAbdali what are prereqs for PA programs?

I can help you (or anyone else) with that Here we go.......
Education (Bachelors)
* Okay, PA school/program is a Master Program in Public Health.
*For PA school/program, it is highly recommended to major in the science or math field.
*An applicant should have at least a 3.0 GPA. It is recommended, in order to make yourself a strong applicant, to have a GPA between 3.5-4.0 since its very competitive.

During your undergrad, these courses have to be completed:

* Human Anatomy w/Lab
* Human Physiology w/Lab
* 1 years of General Biology w/Lab
* 1 year of General Chemistry w/Lab
* 1 year of Organic Chemistry w/Lab
* Microbiology
* Mathematics......okay this is where schools have differ requirements
---It is recommended to complete two semesters of Calculus
* Genetics
* Humanities/Arts
* Medical Terminolgy

Work Experience
* Prior to applying to PA school/program, an applicant needs to have hands-on health care work experience. This includes: foreshadowing, working in a clinic and/or hospital, working with EMT, working as a medical assistant, working as a physical therapist, etc. Anything that will give you the opportunity to work directly with patients.
* You need a minimum of 1,000 hours in total. Do not expect to get paid. I have been working with my hospital for 9 months part time. And i have been working here for nearly a year, and i wont be getting paid at all. Do it for yourself, so you can see if this is really want you want

GRE
*This differs state to state, and university to university. Many schools/programs require the GRE. However, not all do. So you need to know where you are applying to make sure if they require it or not.

Recommendations
* You will need a few strong recommendations. One of your recommendations will have to be from a PA. It can be a PA that you have volunteered with or whatever. But the school wants to see how much do you know what a PA does daily and what sort of responsibility do you know regarding this career.

Interview

Of course since its a professional career, you will have plenty of interviews. But in your interviews make yourself stand out. PA school/program love sharp, smart, and outgoing young folks. They look at how much passion you have in this path.

HOWEVER......never, i say never in your interview, mention that you chose PA school over medical school because medical school's path was difficult for you. I knew someone that did that, but obviously not on purpose. I think he tried to make it into a nice joke in an intense interview, but he only did damage to himself.


OTHER
Many PA's go for their PHD a few years after they start working. Its smart to do so, that is if you wish to.

Many PA's start off with a salary of 100 K. Yeah i know that sounds very appealing. But if they are practicing General or Family Medicine, there will be a maximum that they can make, states salary differs.

My mother is a PA. She has a higher salary than the MDs at her clinic. How great is that

A PA has to continue education throughout his/her career span. These include conferences all around the state and country. They have to complete a certain amount of hours. But the conferences are fun, they always have good lectures in nice, luxurious hotels. But its good because you learn about new diseases and treatments.

A PA may specialize in many medical fields such as:
Pediatric Care
OB/GYN field
Internal Medicine
Community and Public Health
Family Medicine

In the US, in the next 5-10 years, PA's are in high demand. You should see how many medical companies prefer PAs over MDs.

PA school/program is just as competitive as medical school. A medical student in the US usually completes 4 or 5 years of medical school.
A PA student in the US usually completes 2 or 3 years of PA school. So you have to imagine how intense a PA student studies. This student is learning everything a medical student is learning, but in less time. For PA, the first year is all science courses.....then the second year is clinical rotations. A medical student studies science in the first 2 years. Then the last two years are clinical rotations. Both are great, smart, and rewarding careers.

Oh god, i ranted off too much but i hope it helped for you Aseer jan or anyone else who has questions regarding PA school.

If you guys have more questions regarding a certain university or state, dont hesitate to ask

[BarakzaiAbdali]

Glad to see we hit above 2000 views.

I’ve touched on the subject of procuring research positions and given a 20,000 feet overview. However, I have not really gone into too much depth about avenues of pursuit of such positions. I think the discussion of this warrants an individual posting because it potentially benefits 3 groups of people: high-schoolers, college age applicants, and foreign graduates.

Why is pursuing research work important to the applicant of all levels? Well, the American system that has been in place seeks to graduate the Academician, an individual that is also referred to as a triple threat: a research scholar, a top notch clinician, and a teacher to others. The general shortage of physician-scientists that has developed is due to greater financial benefit falling in other medical sectors alongside the student loan debt that one accrues. For this reason, various fellowships like the Howard Hughes Fellowship and the NIH Howard Hughes Medical Fellowships were devised to attract medical students with potential into the realm of academic medicine.

It is primarily for this reason that every medical school across the USA, whether they have a primary care emphasis or not, seeks to acquire competitive young applicants with research on their resume. Advancing to the resident and fellowship level is also contingent on trying to demonstrate some aptitude for asking questions that could fuel future investigations and alter medical practice. It is not an absolute requirement, but it is a well desired trait for competitive slots and spots.

Everyone has to start somewhere. The high school student can start by simply going to their local university or looking online for summer enrichment programs. Some high schools have competitive programs that can help bright young students acquire a spot in a lab somewhere. You should not expect luxury or massive intellectual stimulation at the outset. As a youngster, you may just start off doing some repetitive experiments like isolating DNA or even washing dishes for the lab folk. However, you need to make it clear that you want this to spawn a future independent project that you can follow through on.

The College age applicant can utilize federal work study funds as a deal sweetener and hunt down a lab on campus that has a project that needs someone to push forward. There are many projects that medically linked PhDs or MD PhDs have on the back burner because they do not have the manpower to a lot someone to push them forward. However, this may involve being a volunteer researcher and not getting paid. You should look at it as the end benefit will be your involvement and a possible publication. All the while, you need to be putting together a CV (curriculum vitae). This is a sort of resume that details scientific exploits. As you progress through medical schooling, and as you build up to apply to residency, the application process distills everything you plug in, into a CV. The same occurs for fellowship applicants. There is a book called First Aid for the Match that provides a few example CVs that doctors utilize when applying for such positions. All students that are firmly set on the medical pathway ought to start thinking in terms of the CV, and how to build and augment it. The college student can utilize his degree and try to find work within his own department or offer his skill set to medical researchers that are working on things that would suit his background.

The foreign graduate has a few rough choices he has to make. Currently, the NYC hospitals offer him spots for rapid entry into the American system but little opportunity for advancement. As the new healthcare plan is incorporated, the number of American Medical Graduates is slated to increase with a corresponding freeze on the number of residency spots. There will be a push on the American hospitals to begin recruiting American only grads to fill these excess Internal Medicine and Primary Care spots. Therefore, the foreign graduate ought to make a plan to rapidly enter the US system in the coming years. However, another avenue involves doing a rotation/observation at major medical center that can accommodate this and to find a faculty member doing some sort of research work. More often than not, clinical research work offers the opportunity to publish rapidly in comparison with basic science efforts. On the other hand, basic science research work offers more accolades and opportunities. Usually a good project takes about 2 years to complete. Many foreign grads find that his is just the right amount of time to build up their application for residency through ERAS.

Those that are interested in primary care can also involve themselves in predominantly clinical research work that suits important questions that can help primary care specialists in their day to day practice. For example, an engineer interested in primary care might involve himself on research involving electronic medical record systems. Some research work delves into how to most efficiency deliver care.

At the end of the day, just participating earns you some points, but work hard towards a publication of some sort to show for your efforts. Your first project may not produce this… it may just be your way to learn some of the basic bench side techniques to help you be more efficient in your future endeavors. The other crucial benefit that participating in such work gains you is a network. Medicine, despite its emphasis on merit, utilizes networking to a great degree and is also a very close knit field where everyone knows everyone else within various specialties. So the trade off may be that you do not publish in a short amount of time, but the recommendation you get from your mentor and the friendship you develop may very well be your ticket towards higher goals.

I don’t know maybe at some point we can do an example run and work with someone here who is seeking out research. That of course will take time and some effort, but we can explore how to find projects and how to procure them.

[Mayana]

You also need Chem 1 & 2 and Organic Chem 1 & 2