A Basic Guide to Research for IMGs

laboratory, care, health-2821207.jpg, research for IMGs

A Basic Guide to Research for IMGs

By Sasmit Sarangi

The number of IMGs doing either short-term or long-term research has increased significantly over the past few years. In my opinion, this has been driven primarily by increasing competition in the residency application process and, as a result, IMGs try to seek an extra edge.

Generally, the end of the US academic year is not the same as other countries, and IMGs often have several months between their graduation and the start of the application process. Many candidates now seek to utilize this time in research efforts.

Though it is incorrect to view research as essential, it can be a significant boost to your chances in certain specialties, at academic programs in particular, if you have complementary research experience.

Clinical research and laboratory research are the two broad areas that many IMGs pursue. Clinical research is often the first choice perhaps on account of the large number of available volunteer research positions. It is a great opportunity to develop relationships and mentorship from clinical faculty and display your work ethic. You have good prospects for quick publications/abstracts that can bolster your academic credentials. It is always valuable if you have some experience in clinical statistics as it can significantly reduce the learning curve.

6 differences between clinical research and laboratory research

  1. Laboratory research involves conducting experiments and studies in a controlled environment, such as a laboratory or a research facility. Clinical research, on the other hand, involves conducting studies and trials with human subjects in a real-world setting, such as a hospital or clinic.
  2. Laboratory research often involves using animal subjects or in vitro techniques to study biological processes and phenomena. Clinical research, on the other hand, involves studying the effects of a particular intervention or treatment on human subjects.
  3. Laboratory research is often focused on understanding the underlying mechanisms of a particular process or disease. Clinical research, on the other hand, is focused on evaluating the effectiveness and safety of a particular intervention or treatment for a specific medical condition.
  4. Laboratory research is typically conducted by researchers who are trained in a particular scientific discipline, such as biology, chemistry, or psychology. Clinical research is typically conducted by healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.
  5. Laboratory research is often more controlled than clinical research, as it is conducted in a controlled environment with strict protocols in place. Clinical research, on the other hand, is conducted in a real-world setting with many variables that can affect the outcome of the study.
  6. Laboratory research is often the first step in the scientific process, providing the foundation for further research and the development of new treatments and interventions. Clinical research, on the other hand, is focused on evaluating the effectiveness and safety of a particular intervention or treatment in a real-world setting.

I myself have spent a significant amount of time in lab research and I personally found it fascinating and fulfilling. At the same time, I have met quite a few people who found lab research very tedious. It is very important to understand that lab work is not at all well suited to quick publications and bolstering your CV in a few months.

If you have limited lab experience, like I did, then you will probably need several months, if not more, just to get trained in techniques. Any position that is less than 18 months in duration will (in all likelihood) not lead to many publications, especially in the short term. I feel that if you make an informed decision to go into lab research, you will definitely find it to be an enriching experience.

To sum up, I think research for IMGs can be helpful, but it can be detrimental as well in some cases. It is important to balance improving your research credentials with the amount of time that has elapsed from your time of graduation.

I felt during the residency application process that time from graduation is used by a lot of programs as a surrogate to judge a candidate’s ability to perform in a clinical setting. It is definitely important to avoid being viewed as the candidate whose clinical skills may not be adequate for a residency position.

It would be great to hear more about other people’s experiences in the comments below, and please feel free to put forward any questions that you may have about this issue.

Discussion

3 thoughts on “A Basic Guide to Research for IMGs”

  1. Actually I am living out of Usa , and I want to apply for clinical or laboratory research to improve my chances for residenship, What should be my first step to do that? and How could I have any contact with someone who is doing research?. Thanks for your answer

  2. Thank you for your question. It would be best to first isolate an area of interest and look for open positions or send emails to a lab of interest. You can also look for voluntary positions to begin and transition to a paid position after adequate training.
    I would like to point out again that research may not improve your residency chances and sometimes a carefully planned elective may help you more.

  3. Hi thank you very much for all the information, i’m about to graduate in Mexico and i want to aplicate for the USMLE, but i need to improve my english and my background, i am very confussed, i dont know where to start, can you help me with that please??

Comments are closed.

Related Articles