Timing for pursuing a PHD for medics

Hello,
I am a junior doctor (FY1 - non training) and I am not certain about the field I want to specialise in yet.
However, I am considering pursing a PHD degree as I have just completed my master's as well.
Is there any timing consideration when doing a PHD? eg. If I decide to specialise in Cardio, would I need to have a PHD in cardiology to score, or does any clinical PHD count?

Reply 1

macpatgh-Sheldon

Hi Dr @Medsavvy,

Sorry that you have not had any replies after such a long time!

By now you have probs already made your decision, but here are some points to consider:-
1] A number of eminent cardiologists do not hold a PhD at all, esp. in UK - in other countries e. g., USA + Korea, where higher degrees/diplomas like MRCP do not exist, a large number of doctors hold a PhD in addition to their UG medical degree of MD. So, I would predict that whether a PhD that is or is not in cardiology might make little difference, if any.
2] Having said the above, In USA some cardiologists hold FACC, whereas there is no special diploma in cardiology in the UK, so this perhaps contradicts 1].
3] A few of my consultant friends who are ex-classmates from medical school [actually v few] have a considerable amount of clinical experience in general medicine, before they specialized; in fact a couple of them, worked as GPs for a few years then specialized [one in neurology]; the latter actually says to me that he feels he is better at his specialty on account of his broad clinical experience. So, this would suggest that a non-cardio PhD [tho perhaps not seeing patients therein] might be an advantage.

I hope this throws some light into the matter for u.

M.