Postgraduate degrees for rheumatology trainees: an options appraisal of MD, PhD and MSc degrees

Abstract

A research degree is a passport to success. Well all right However, although many did submit the research and it is not, but over the last 15 yr or so, it has become the were awarded a degree (with or without a viva), many rule rather than the exception for rheumatology trainees individuals never actually submitted their research and to undertake a period of research during their specialist got their posts on the ‘assumption’ that they would studies. This situation arose more from pragmatism (a submit and be awarded the degree in due course. lack of career grade posts) than any particular ideal. Traditionally, MD projects have been more clinically Unfortunately, for some the experience was unrewardorientated than PhD projects, although this is not necesing; usually as a result of undertaking unsuitable projects sarily the case. Some MD studies are purely laboratorywith inadequate facilities and poor (or no) supervision. based and some PhD projects are in clinical research. However, many found that 2 or 3 yr spent learning a The value of MD research time both for the individual critical and analytical scientific approach greatly beneand for the body of scientific and medical knowledge fited their clinical skills when they eventually became has been extremely variable. Some projects have been consultants. A smaller number were bitten by the bug well-thought out, supervised and successful both as and pursued an academic research career. The key training in scientific methodology and increasing underfactors in determining success seem to be the right standing about certain subjects. Unfortunately, many person doing the right degree in the right place at the projects have not been. Some people have spent 2 or right time. even 3 yr ‘studying’ a subject in a totally unproductive Here we discuss the role and respective merits of way, often with little or no guidance. Not infrequently different postgraduate degrees available to medical the person was not really interested in doing the research graduates and the timing of the research period, a factor anyway but saw it as a fast track to a good consultancy. that plays a significant part in the long-term success of Many universities until recently did not require prothe venture. jects to be discussed with a supervisor nor require submission of the title for approval in advance of doing the work. Some individuals got very little advice during Which degree? the project and when writing up, as the MD was often MD considered an unsupervised degree, although this has This has been the traditional research degree for most now changed in most universities. Needless to say the clinicians and usually requires about 2 yr of research to value of unsupervised work was often poor, certainly obtain the MD degree at the end. Although some people for training in scientific methods and the results were have spent a period of time in research because of a often unpublishable. Even more structured projects with genuine interest in a research subject and training and a named active supervisor were not always successful, have continued to be active in research thereafter, many as not all supervisors have been adequately trained in are not so keen. Since the 1980s, the MD has been the relevant scientific methods and in how to train someone passport to senior registrar posts, as many aspiring else in research techniques. If the trainee has obtained rheumatologists could not get into their chosen vocation a peer-reviewed grant to fund the research this should when they wanted to due to a shortage of available not occur, but the problem is not necessarily avoided, posts. Spending time as a research fellow in clinical or and in the past many MD research projects have been laboratory-based research became an advantage when funded out of ‘soft’ money from pharmaceutical comapplying for senior registrar and consultant posts. pany trials. Thus, the trainee has not always obtained useful training, a justified degree and worthwhile publications. Even if the person does not get publishable Submitted 25 February 1999; revised version accepted 23 April 1999.