<p>I'm well aware of controversial advantages/disadvantages of MD/Phd programme, but the questions I am about to ask you guys, as far as I am concerned, have not been discussed. So here they go:</p>
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<li><p>Say I got into MD/PhD programme. As far as I am aware of, MD/PhD is direct route from undergrad. Where is master's path? Is it not required in acquiring PhD degree? Or do they get M.S degree and PhD simultaneously?</p></li>
<li><p>Maybe 90% of physicians with their MD degrees head directly for clinics. What is the future like for MD/PhD recipients?</p></li>
<li><p>The reason I am thinking of MD/PhD is that I have passion in both physical science and medical science. I, more than anything, want to pursue the field of physics, mathematics and chemistry, but at the same time I wish to pursue the path of medical science where I can not only cure diseases, but also find ways to prevent it. Can I get involved in both of these if I choose MD/PhD path?</p></li>
<li><p>This is kind of continuum of question 3, but if succeeded in my MD/PhD, will I be able to be a professor of BOTH medicine and physical science (physics, most likely)? I would love to teach and research both, but is it possible?</p></li>
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<li><p>No, you don’t need a master’s degree to matriculate at an MD-PhD program.</p></li>
<li><p>The general consensus from MD/PhD programs is that they aim to train researchers first, clinicians second. They want to train students to become basic scientists 80% of the time and doctors 20% of the time. However, there are many deviations and the many varied outcomes from these programs are discussed here:
[Are</a> MD-PhD programs meeting their goals? An analys… [Acad Med. 2010] - PubMed result](<a href=“Are MD-PhD programs meeting their goals? An analysis of career choices made by graduates of 24 MD-PhD programs - PubMed”>Are MD-PhD programs meeting their goals? An analysis of career choices made by graduates of 24 MD-PhD programs - PubMed)</p></li>
<li><p>You will want to choose a research topic that involves medicine, and specifically, your medical specialty. It will be nearly impossible for you to do both research in a field that is unrelated to medicine in any way (however, there are a lot of chemistry/physics applications in medicine) as well as medically-relevant research. </p></li>
<li><p>Yes, you can teach/research etc. </p></li>
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<p>Finally:
- You keep saying programme? I assume you are not American, and in that case, you will have to take special care in applying to MDPhD programs, as some do not consider international applicants (this is usually because MSTP/government funding is for American citizens/permanent residents only).</p>
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<li>I’m not sure why you want the MD at all. You mention biomedical research, teaching, and chemistry research. You don’t mention patient interaction at all. By going PhD-only, you would you much more time to study/research medical and non-medical interests/questions. Why bother with the MD?</li>
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