Student stuck at crossroads... can any medics offer advice?

Question

I'm a medical student and have just completed an intercalated BSc this year. I was about to rejoin medicine and finish it off, but I've been offered a PhD but will have to take another 3 years out of medicine. I don't know what to do.

I love medicine and have always wanted to be a doctor and help people since I can remember... and waited for this oppertunity for years. But I loved the research this year too, and the PI has been pushing me for a PhD which I can see myself doing. What should I do? What benefits would I gain from a PhD in my medical carreer (PhD is in Developmental Neurobiology)? Should I ask to do the PhD after finishing med and the F1 year? I'm soooooo conflicted! Any help (medics specifically...but other insights gratefully accepted!)

Answer 1

I am not for traditional medicine only. I am a nurse also. Natural medicine is the avenue i would take hands down, however i think integrative medicine is the best as it is co operating with educated minds and those who know no one has all the answers. I think whatever research you do, should you come up with something that is not in line with traditional medicine will be sidetracked as it is not as profitable possibly not patentable etc... it sounds like you would make a wonderful doctor... you could become an MD then specialize in natural and or integrative medicine.

Answer 2

I had the exact same decision to make.  I chose to complete the medical training then do the PhD.  If you do a PhD now, then go back to finish med school, then plan to do some research you'll have put a gap of at least 3 years (or however long the remainder of the med course is) between your PhD and your starting your research after med school.  Problem is 3 years is a long time in the research field, and your area of interest will undoubtedly have progressed a lot since you were last involved with it. So whatever you worked on as a PhD will be old news, and there'll maybe not much room for you to carry on that line of study,  It would be better to do your phd down the line after med school, so you can carry on straight into the research when it's done.

hope that makes sense, i'm in a rush!