<p>I will be graduating from high school this May, and I really want to study something in the medical field. I just am a little confused though; if I merely wanted to do research, not actually becoming a practicing physician, I would still have to go through med school, right? And I'm a little confused as to what I should put my major as for my bachelor's. Right now I think I am listed as biology, but should I change it to pre-med? Thanks for answering!</p>
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if I merely wanted to do research, not actually becoming a practicing physician, I would still have to go through med school, right?
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<p>Nah. While an MD is one option for that, the better thing to do would be to get a PhD. Of course an MD/PhD is possible, too, but that takes and is more competitive.</p>
<p>Basically, while any of those three options (MD, PhD, or both) works for research, the PhD is the easiest and the intermediate for "quality".</p>
<p>You get your degree. You go spend a few years in a lab doing a post-doc. Eventually you write your own RO1 (a grant), get it awarded, and start up your own lab. After a little while, nobody will care about your degree any more and all that will matter is the quality of your previous research. But when you're first starting out, the degrees do make a different and an MD/PhD is best while an MD is probably least useful.</p>
<p>And since the PhD is by far the easiest, least painful track, that's my recommendation.</p>
<p>Now, if your goal is just an MD, then you can major in whatever you like. But if your goal is a PhD of any kind, then I suggest majoring in the field in which you will eventually want your PhD -- probably chemistry, biology, biochem, etc.</p>
<p>Other alternate choices - </p>
<p>PharmD -Many schools that have PharmD programs also have internship opportunities in last year of your PharmD or immediately after receiving your PharmD. These days, most pharmacy schools have become direct PharmD schools. It's rare to find schools that offer BPharm any more.</p>
<p>With a Pharm D you could either concentrate on hospital pharmacy and work in a hospital or in local drug stores. OR one can be involved in Clinical Research -
1) Clinical Pharmcology (Human exploratory research), or 2) Phase II/III Clinical research, or 3) Medical Affairs/Medical Safety and oversee Phase IV Clinical research.</p>
<p>These are great options and very fulfilling for nonMD healthcare professionals.</p>
<p>Last but not the least is to do a DrPH -doctorate in Public Health. You could get involved in Epidemiology and Public Health policy -both very critical areas and can make a HUGE impact on overall public healthcare. With these degrees, you could either concentrate in biostats and get involved on results interpretation side of clinical trials or just be involved in public health policy......work with CDC, FDA etc.</p>
<p>DrPH is an excellen option as well. The kind of research you do will have a lasting impact on masses of people. Latest examples of research are - WHI studies with hormone replacements, others before - osteoporosis findings - effect of vit D and calcium on bone loss (you could either google schloar or pubmed for research findings.....it will give you an overall idea of the impact such research has on public health).</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>