<p>What kind of options are available to do research while in medical school, short of doing an MD/PhD?</p>
<p>Anything from basic sciences, to public health, to clinical research. If you have the time, they have the work for you.</p>
<p>Are there particular formal pathways to do this (again, short of doing an MD/PhD)? Fellowships, other degrees…?</p>
<p>Some schools offer Masters programs, some schools have ways to allow you to do a fifth year of just research.</p>
<p>The NIH and the Howard Hughes Institute funds a couple of one-year full-time research programs.</p>
<p>Ookla , my D has applied to 21 schools this year and IIRC all of them have an option for a fifth year of research. Two schools in particular that you could look at are the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western and Pitt’s PSTP and CSTP programs. If selected, the programs are tuition-free all years plus a required 5th year with stipend. </p>
<p>In addition to a Master’s at some schools, many more schools have an “M.D. with Research Distinction” or a “Research Track M.D.”. Unfortunately there is no uniform name, benefits, or requirements for these programs so you have to search each school’s website.</p>
<p>The availability of these types of programs was a big driver in my D’s application process and a substantial reason why she opted out (for now) of MD/PhD. (She still feels she has a path to MD/PhD. at many schools after MS-1 and this allows her more flexibility should she decide on a more clinical path.)</p>