Stir Research Project

[HiHopes]

Hi everyone,

 

I've become interested in the MD with special training in research (STIR) project for Summers at the University of Alberta MD degree. Would doing this kind of thing necessarily make you more qualified for more competitive specialties? Say I am interested in Emerg. Can you do research in that particular field and would that make your odds of Carms matching better (i.e. would you be viewed as better than candidate Y who has not done research). 
Also, it says on their website that you can do some research during the Summer prior to med. Is the deadline for that still the February 1st deadline to get your research proposal together during the med school year? It would be pretty nice to advance that research while outside of med, so that I'd have to do less during med and thus have more holiday time!

 

Thanks for your help and feel free to share more about STIR or correct me on any misconceptions I may have about it!

[adhominem]

Generally speaking, I think research experience mostly helps you for residency matching if it is relevant to what you're going for. That being said, I do know that someone with a PhD does get additional consideration if they have a proven research track record and express interest in research during residency, even if their previous work is not strictly related.  (That is at least what my PhD co-supervisor tells me, who sits on a residency selection committee at U of A, so this isn't entirely speculation). Many clinical departments are really pushing for residents who are willing/enthusiastic about completing research projects. The more research experience you have, the more it has the potential to sway the committee deciding your fate. Whether or not a STIR project would be considered significant enough is another story, and not something anyone except a committee would be able to answer. 
 

To answer you more specifically about the STIR project, I think it depends on the nature of your project. It should certainly be relevant to the scope of an emerg doc, but doesn't need to be within that department per se. I may be incorrect, but I don't know that emerg medicine has much of an established research programme compared to other departments like surgery or OB/GYN, for example. Try to focus on selecting a project with relevance to whatever interests you, that includes transferrable skills you could continue to use as a resident. 

[Lactic Folly]

I think the boost to your CaRMS app would essentially be the same as doing research during your summers - because that's what it basically is, except with a bit more formality to it (presentation, title).

[HiHopes]

Lactic folly,

So basically you could simply do research independently of STIR? Does doing an independent project allow your to only do 1-2 months? That would allow me to have more control over my summers. The 24 week requirement for stir only leaves a month free during each summer. If this was undergrad I'd think that'd be great. I do not want burn myself out during med school though.

[Lactic Folly]

Yes, it's like setting up a research project as an undergrad. Most supervisors would prefer a full summer, but some have shorter projects, and the duration that you work is between you and them.

[HiHopes]

Good to know. Thanks!

[GH0ST]

Lactic folly,

So basically you could simply do research independently of STIR? Does doing an independent project allow your to only do 1-2 months? That would allow me to have more control over my summers. The 24 week requirement for stir only leaves a month free during each summer. If this was undergrad I'd think that'd be great. I do not want burn myself out during med school though.

 

To answer your question (as I am involve in student groups and research advocacy in medical school now)... STIR in itself doesn't make you more competitive... doing a project (STIR or independently) in the field of interest can be helpful, especially to show your interest in said field... but let's not get carried away. At the

end of the day it's your performance in your rotations and CaRMS interviews that makes a big difference. 

 

If you have questions relating to STIR specifically PM me. 

 

- G

[End Poverty]

To answer your question (as I am involve in student groups and research advocacy in medical school now)... STIR in itself doesn't make you more competitive... doing a project (STIR or independently) in the field of interest can be helpful, especially to show your interest in said field... but let's not get carried away. At the

end of the day it's your performance in your rotations and CaRMS interviews that makes a big difference. 

 

If you have questions relating to STIR specifically PM me. 

 

- G

 

 How does doing research with STIR or independently differ? Does STIR have additional funding whereas independent research does not?  Does doing research with STIR a designation added to your degree credentials?

[HiHopes]

From their website:

The "MD (With Special Training In Research)" designation will formally recognize your introduction to basic or clinical research.

What a funky credential lol. Think it'd be like MD STIR, which is getting to the level of rapper names.

Now from the FRCPC EM programs document posted by the Royal College in 2012:

 

UBC

How does your program view incoming applicants with ER-research under their belts?

Positively/favourably

 

UAlberta

How does your program view incoming applicants with ER-research under their belts?

Although a bonus, research experience as a student is not essential. An understanding

of research methods will help with the PGY-2 research block and the scholarly project,

but not mandatory.

 

USask

How does your program view incoming applicants with ER-research under their belts?

It depends on the research, but it is certainly not a requirement for interview or accep-

tance.

 

You get the idea. Really program-dependent it seems.

[GH0ST]

 How does doing research with STIR or independently differ? Does STIR have additional funding whereas independent research does not?  Does doing research with STIR a designation added to your degree credentials?

 

Personally I don't feel that STIR in itself adds a great deal to your degree credentials. It's more useful for students who have limited research experience to get a chance to do extensive research for a limited period of time and get evaluated by a panel of faculty. Funding is more dependent on your supervisor, lab environment, access to different sources of funding/scholarships etc... 

 

I recommend STIR projects to those without a degree or a Bachelor's degree that is interested in doing more committed research for two summers (and with some time committed during the year I believe to satisfy the requirements). It is a chance to be productive in a situation where you aren't familiar with the research paradigm. 

 

Those who do not want to commit two summers, or have a masters degree, or can find their own projects independently with their supervisor, honestly can demonstrate scholarly work without committing to STIR. 

 

Note that these reflect my personal opinions. I will talk to some students in STIR currently and ask for theirs.

 

Best wishes,

 

- G

[End Poverty]

Personally I don't feel that STIR in itself adds a great deal to your degree credentials. It's more useful for students who have limited research experience to get a chance to do extensive research for a limited period of time and get evaluated by a panel of faculty. Funding is more dependent on your supervisor, lab environment, access to different sources of funding/scholarships etc... 

 

I recommend STIR projects to those without a degree or a Bachelor's degree that is interested in doing more committed research for two summers (and with some time committed during the year I believe to satisfy the requirements). It is a chance to be productive in a situation where you aren't familiar with the research paradigm. 

 

Those who do not want to commit two summers, or have a masters degree, or can find their own projects independently with their supervisor, honestly can demonstrate scholarly work without committing to STIR. 

 

Note that these reflect my personal opinions. I will talk to some students in STIR currently and ask for theirs.

 

Best wishes,

 

- G

 

 

Thank you, GH0ST!!  STIR sounds like a great option especially for people with limited clinical research experience.

 

I was wondering what options does U of A have in terms of scholarships and bursaries? Is it easy to qualify for scholarships? 

[GH0ST]

Thank you, GH0ST!!  STIR sounds like a great option especially for people with limited clinical research experience.

 

I was wondering what options does U of A have in terms of scholarships and bursaries? Is it easy to qualify for scholarships? 

 

I wish I knew more about all the scholarships and bursaries but I'm not as familiar with that.

 

However, the school does a decent job at letting you know what opportunities exist if you ask. Furthermore, you can always go to the people who manage awards to ask what's available. Lastly you can always check on various websites (for research or otherwise) for funding opportunities. 

 

Best wishes, 

 

- G