Most students approach the option of pursuing a combined MD-PhD
degree with some uncertainty. Clearly, both the practice of medicine and
scientific discovery are rewarding but challenging activities that
demand full attention to each component. Many applicants
may ask themselves, "If I become an MD-PhD, won't I just be half as
good at each as someone who does each component full time?" The answer
to this question lies in understanding the nature of science and
medicine and how a creative synergy of two
different perspectives can become greater than the sum of its parts.
Yes, the practice of medicine and scientific inquiry each require
significant focus and commitment. However, combined training in both
fields provides a depth and breadth of skills
and knowledge that affords the foundation for excellence as a
clinician-scientist.
Medicine is both an art and a science. An
understanding of the scientific basis of medicine is crucial for
providing cutting edge care to patients. However, the practice of
medicine is also a practical endeavor with the objective of doing what
is best
for the patient. While obtaining knowledge is necessary, knowledge
alone does not provide the skills necessary to serve as an outstanding
physician. In fact, the good clinician must always balance the benefits
of cutting edge testing and treatment
against the costs, time and risks that come with it. Because of the
need to act in many cases, uncertainty must be tolerated. The clinician
must have the basic knowledge and understanding of medical literature to
make decisions based on evidence but
must also form a bond with the patient and gain an understanding of
how medical intervention will affect the person.
The biomedical
researcher is a scientist. At its purest, the purpose of scientific
research is knowledge itself. Questions are approached in great depth
and, while absolute certainty is often not possible, the goal is to
obtain new knowledge and insight
that will advance the understanding of biological and physical
processes. Ever more creative and inventive experiments are at the heart
of scientific progress. By necessity, scientists are true experts at
their fields, but frequently are only vaguely
aware of whole disciplines outside their specific field. However,
the physician scientist gains experience and training in medicine and
biomedical sciences. This combination allows for a broad and practical
perspective that provides the opportunity
to apply discoveries to improve patient care.
The interface of
medicine and science is an area of great promise where the problems of
the patient inspire and inform research, and the fruits of research are
applied for meaningful and tangible benefit. Unfortunately, the very
different goals, approaches,
cultures, and even languages of medicine and science sometimes
hamper the productivity of this critical interface. It is here that the
dually trained MD-PhD makes a unique contribution. S/he combines the
breadth of the physician with the depth of
a scientist and can seamlessly function and communicate in both
worlds. This powerful combination creates individuals who occupy a
special niche in the biomedical enterprise. They work on different
problems, see clinical connections and applications
and serve as the glue opposing the centrifugal forces keeping
medicine and science apart. If you want to be a researcher who is
different than a PhD or an MD, and not just the sum of two activities,
then MD-PhD may be for you.