Can Physicians Working At Community Hospitals Still Be Somewhat Involved In Research?

[bellk]

Hi! I wasn’t sure where to post this. I am currently a non-trad pre-med who recently just finished up a graduate degree in health services research. My question:

 

Can physicians working at community hospitals still be somewhat involved in research?

 

..Is something I’ve been thinking about because I’m interested in “tougher lifestyle” surgical specialties (at this naive point in my training lol..) where my understanding is that the job market is tight. I enjoy research and my specific interests currently are in health services/patient outcomes, so I’m just wondering what the potential is for physicians working at community hospitals to still do some research.  Payment wise I realize this does get complicated, as academic positions have research protected time built right in. 

 

Any insight would be appreciated!

 

Thanks, 

 

BK