Tips and Considerations for a Research Fellowship
Written by Rami S. Kantar, MD, MPH
A growing emphasis is being placed on pursuing research initiatives and fellowships before, during, and after medical training. The goal of this entry is to highlight considerations to think about when looking for research fellowships and to offer some tips about the process.
The Right Reasons & Conditions
While there is growing emphasis on pursuing research initiatives during medical school, residency, and beyond, you should not feel pressured to do so.
There are EXCELLENT clinicians who have never pursued any research initiatives. If you decide that pursuing a research fellowship is something you are interested in doing, you should think about some factors that can significantly influence your experience.
For medical students, the optimal time to complete a research fellowship is usually between the 3rd and 4th year before you apply to the match so that you can leverage your research experience and connections that you develop to optimize your chances to match at your favorite program. Residents taking time away from clinical training should factor in that senior years carry significantly more clinical responsibilities, and that pursuing a research fellowship earlier in training maybe me more favorable.
Geographical locations, as well as funding conditions, are also extremely important personal factors to think about during your search. Completing your USMLE exams before beginning your research fellowship is usually favorable and will allow you to focus more on your research and be more productive during that time. It is also important to talk about the research fellowship with current/previous fellows to get a sense of how their experience has been.
The Right Position For You
Different research positions will offer you different experiences. You need to find the position that will best fit YOUR needs and goals.
Do you ultimately want to run your basic science lab? Then perhaps pursuing basic science research is the right option for you. If not, and you are more interested in health services research, then a clinical research position maybe the better option for you. Your research experience should also position you as favorably as possible for your next goal. If you are planning on applying to a specific clinical residency or fellowship after your research fellowship, then choosing a research mentor and experience that will expose you to the right connections and allow you to attend the right meetings for your specialty of interest are critical.
The Right Resources And Patience
Countless resources list research opportunities for medical students and residents. The KEY is to be patient and to search as broadly as possible to know what your options are.
Institutions and specialty departments often have postings on their websites and social medial outlets regarding available research positions. Society and specialty websites as well as their social media outlets are also fantastic resources. Last but certainly not least, make sure to talk to your mentors, friends, colleagues, contacts, and current research fellows in positions of interest, and ask them if they know of any opportunities.
Best of luck and feel free to reach out with any questions!
Rami S. Kantar, MD, MPH
General Surgery Chief Resident, The University of Maryland Medical System/Shock Trauma Center
Incoming Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Resident, New York University Langone Health
