Family + hardcore science?

[Ms. C]

I am a new med student and am wondering if there are opportunities for family physicians to do "bench work" nerd type of research part-time. I like the idea of family medicine, but I would prefer a career in which i could preform experiments and have a "basic science" research program. does anyone know of family docs who do this, or should i be looking more at and IM residency/subspecialty if i want to research?

 

thanks

[Satsuma]

I am not aware of any family docs that do basic science research. Certainly they are involved in clinical research. Even many specialists/sub-specialists are involved often in clinical research rather than basic science. However, you will more likely find a specialist doing basic science than a family doc I would suspect.

 

You would certainly need additional training as medical school is not intended to produce basic science researchers. Since you mention you would like to have your own research program you could consider a PhD. imo it is generally tricky to be both a good clinician and a good basic science researcher.

 

Pathology is a specialty that lends itself well to basic science research..