Tips for Potential Grad Students: Medicine

First of all, some clarification is necessary as to how the term applies to field of Medicine.  Most Canadian Universities consider Medicine to be an "undergraduate degree" so getting an MD, in and of itself, does not fall under the heading of "graduate studies" even though, for most students, an MD is, in fact, their second degree.  Second, those who go on to specialize after getting an MD are said to be completing "post-graduate" studies and in university lingo this does not include the kind of graduate studies that this answer addresses.

However, the term "graduate studies" does have application to Medicine. Many medical schools offer combined MD/PhD programs.  Look on the websites to see which ones do this.  You have to have a pretty good track record in research to get into such programs (like a successful MSc and very good references) so such programs are really meant for those who have demonstrated a strong commitment to research as well as to clinical medicine.  These combined degrees take about 6-7 years to complete with various blendings and timetables of medical and PhD and MD courses and projects.  It's a heavy work load and takes a long time so be sure that this is the way you want to go before applying.  Most schools take in only a handful of applicants through this gateway each year. 

There is an ongoing philosophical argument about these combined degrees.  Many medical academics/researchers feel it is much better to do the degrees serially, that is MD first, then PhD.  This, they claim, prepares you better for a career in medical research and a position in academia whereas the combined degree, because of the way the courses for both degrees are inter-digitated, leaves you vulnerable to being out-of-date in your chosen research field by the time you finish all the requirements for your MD and any specialty work you wish to take on after your MD.

There seems to be no perfect answer, hence the wisdom of talking to profs and currently enrolled students.

Jim Silcox, Professor Emeritus, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Ontario, and 3M National Teaching Fellow.

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