Close Home Forum Sign up / Log in

MD or PhD - What's the difference?

H

I finished medical school and a master course in spain. Now I intend to apply for a higher degree in cancer before doing haematology in spain.
As in the future I wish to observe patients does anyone knows who is the most appropriate - MD or a PhD in haematology?
What's the real difference between them?
Do we get medical training in any of these postgraduations in the UK?
Thanks in advance.

J

How about a Google search? This is ridiculous, Mann

H

Maybe it sounds ridiculous but it isn't easy to tell the difference. From what I saw, both are research based but can we observe patients? Do you know if we get some medical training during the course?
Maybe for you - man- it's easy when you were born in a country where words such as MD, PhD, MPhil, DPhil etc were explained to you by someone who offered you the book "Doctorate expressions explained for dummies"...Unfortunately it's sold out.

J

MD is reserved for qualified physicians although in effect it is the equivalent of a PhD. If you are not medically qualified the chances are you will only be able to gain entry onto a PhD program. There may be exceptions to this rule that I am unaware of however!

J

sorry, just re-read your post! As you are a doctor and appear to be interested in clinically orientated research i would imagine an MD would be best, although there would be nothing stopping you doing a PhD these might be more basic science orientated than what you are after

R

Jouri,
That's a little bit harsh. I take it you get out of the wrong side of bed that morning. I think its a fair question. I understand an MD is the medical equivilent of a PhD ( in the UK ) but what exactly is the difference I wonder. I am assuming its research carried out during clinical practice whereas a doctor would need to take time out to do a PhD.

wikipedia had an informative article on the subject matter.

S

MD is a professional doctorate, ie suitable for practitioners; whereas PhD can be obtained by nonexperienced academics. Both are research degrees as you would expect.

Soza

8778