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Clinical Research v/s Lab Research

by Dr. Hafiz G Hussain

 

If one wants to pursue a carrier in fields like Internal medicine or Surgery as most of us do, then clinical research is superior to Laboratory research.
Clinical research is usually related to gathering clinical data and analyzing it. It gives good amount of clinical knowledge as you go through patient’s clinical charts number of times in search of required variables. Also, clinical research is quicker way of getting publications compared to basic lab research. This kind of research is usually carried out by clinical faculty so their recommendations matter more than a basic Lab attending.
 In basic Lab research, researcher has to perform different lab procedures like Centrifugation, ELISA and electrophoresis etc. Though it gives a good amount of experience using these techniques and can prove a great plus if you want to pursue a carrier in pathology or other basic sciences but may not be very helpful regarding Internal medicine or surgery. Publications of basic work are powerful but usually fewer in number.
So if you have choice then, go for clinical research. Again, having any kind of research is superior to no research.
In my opinion Ranking should be like:

  1. Paid clinical research
  2. Paid basic lab research
  3. Unpaid Clinical research
  4. Unpaid basic Lab research

Visitor (not verified)

Sat, 08/08/2009 - 12:18

sir i want to know few things... is clinical research option available to us once we finish our internship or can it only b done during internship?? if it can b done after internship i will b very much relieved..do let me know sir.. thankin u in anticipation

Visitor (not verified)

Wed, 01/20/2010 - 23:38

 

Hi Umarbhai, I have option of doing a volunteer lab research in virology or a clinical research and i can voluntteer for only one and a half month as I have to return

back to complete my graduation. what do you think is advisable? and in terms of getting paid in future what do  you think is more likely...Please let me know.

Hi, my field of interest is Internal Medicine. I am getting a volunteer research in it..but i think there are more chances of getting paid in Lab research in future, so that i can stay in US and complete my remaining steps, and there wont be a gap in cv. what is your suggestion..hey umarbhai you are going to apply this september..? did you do any research..?

There are equal chances of getting paid research in both...
I recommend you should do research in the field of your interest.... i m not applying this september... i did no do any long-term research yet....

Visitor (not verified)

Tue, 02/09/2010 - 16:45

Im in my second year of med school. I got to do some research in a lab for one month. However they said I have to come on a J1 visa sponsored by someone outside. I wanted to know if i will be at a disadvantage if im on a J1 visa. While doing my residency, will they extend my J1 visa?

umar

Wed, 03/03/2010 - 07:15

In reply to by Visitor (not verified)

 plz go through the J1 visa section... u wud certainly get a extension when u get residency... u can confirm this from residency department while applying...

visitor (not verified)

Sun, 06/27/2010 - 15:34

umar sir 1stly ur site is AMAZING !!!!

i wanted to know if its possible to do comparative clinical research during electives and its value ...

bath (not verified)

Fri, 08/27/2010 - 08:00

hello, i am regular visitor to your site and it has helped me a lot to clear my doubts about various topics on USMLE.

You are doing are a great work helping medical students from around the world.

i am in a mess right now , please guide me.

i have done a one month clinical elective in Surgery and got a good LOR from the chief. Also now i have the opportunity of doing a volunteer clinical research under him in the same institution for a period of 6 months( can be extended to a year), however it is only research not an observership. should i take it? or apply to place where i can get both a research and an observership. how much weight will it carry if i apply for surgery residency next year. Have cleared step 1(93) and CS and preparing for CK now.

please guide..

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