Do MD Radiology Residents Out Perform MD-PhD Residents?

How do radiology residents with PhD-MD credentials stack up against residents with just MD degrees?

In a study recently published in Academic Radiology, Researchers at Vanderbilt University’s department of radiology ventured to find out if residents with doctorates are in fact, stronger physicians and how their skills are perceived by supervising physicians.

The group of researchers led by Petrice M. Cogswell, MD, a radiology resident who happens to tout a PhD, surveyed 23 directors of both large and small residency programs, which collectively served over 2,200 residents. Out of this group, 5 percent held MD-PhD degrees and 80 percent of the programs featured between one and four residents with a dual degree.

By and large, program directors held their MD-PhD residents in a positive light and many felt that both PhD-MD and MD residents performed equally. However, in the clinical realm, MD-PhD on average residents were recognized as weaker than MD residents. Yet, by the same token, directors were more impressed with clinical performance of MD-PhD residents and non-PhD residents alike who were “actively engaged in research” than those who didn’t peruse additional research interests.

These findings could prompt academic leaders to reconsider the value a doctorate degree in radiology. “…the performance of residents during residency, in both clinical work and research, is often no directly related to their prior degree path but rather inherent motivation of the resident,” wrote the authors. This study could also encourage PhD-MD applicants to seriously contemplate the trajectory of their residency. “MD-PhD residents may choose to solely focus on their clinical training during residency because they already have a solid research background and determine they need to concentrate on developing their clinical skills, regardless of whether or not they plan to engage in research during their career,” they said.