APSA 7th Annual Meeting
APSA Members Present Their Research to ASCI and AAP Members
Editorial: MD-PhD—worth the investment?
Samuel F. Bakhoum, APSA Public Relations Committee, Dartmouth Medical School
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In his recent editorial (“MD-PhD Programs-A call for an accounting” JAMA Sept 10, 2008), Leon Rosenberg questions the added value gained from a combined MD-PhD program as opposed to the traditional medical education followed by research training. He cites the success of the large number of physician-scientists who were enrolled in traditional MD programs and have thereafter decided to pursue a career primarily devoted to medical research. This model has been irrefutably successful, particularly during the twentieth century. However, the realities of biomedical research in the twenty-first century pose some significant challenges to physicians without formal research training. For instance, they may encounter difficulties in successfully competing for research grants compared to their physician colleagues who also hold a PhD degree.