Does anyone know someone who did medicine after their PhD?

I do not know anyone specifically but it is not uncommon. With the graduate entry medicine now in the UK it makes it much easier for graduate students to obtain a place in medicine courses. It is also not a waste of time even if you never preactice medicine as it would really help if you want to pursue medical research. Many universities in the U.S. offer joint MD/Ph.D programmes. With the new graduate entry system you could be an MD/Ph.D at 28/29. Not very old!

I thought the whole point of the 4 year GRAD courses was to get out as many doctors (practising for the NHS) as quick as possible. Before I did my masters I was considered the 4 year course and came across quite a few people who were finishing PhDs and applying or already had their PhD. There is a really useful website www.medschoolguide.co.uk which has a forum devoted to graduate applicants.

My friend did his PhD in something completely unrelated to medicine, and then went on to become a "proper" doctor. So now he's Dr. Dr.

Thanks for your help

In resposne to Hina: You are correct that the graduate medicine entry is to produce more practicing doctors. My point was just that anon should not worry about taking the initative and going for a place in medicine because even in the worst case scenario (i.e. not going on to practice) the MD would still help your research career. But i am of the opinion thet the graduate entry system should only be used by people wishing to practice medicine, not those trying to further their research career.

In response to Random: This is what I’ve heard, correct me if I’m wrong. In fact the title of Dr bestowed upon medical practitioners in the UK is an honoury title – hence the reason why consultants revert back to “Mr”.

Bill is correct, unlike in the US for example where medical students undertake the MD (Medical Doctorate), UK students do not actually undertake a doctorate programme. If I'm correct, the only doctorate programmes in the UK are: Ph.D, D.Ed, DBA, Eng.D. Any more - I'm willing to learn here.

IIRC, it's only consultant surgeons who (in the UK) revert back to Mr. This is historical. To quote from a BMJ article "The tradition arose before 1800 when physicians were by definition doctors who possessed a university medical degree (an MD); surgeons seldom had any formal qualifications. After the founding of the Royal College of Surgeons of London in 1800, surgeons had a formal qualification (the MRCS). Surgeons became so proud to be distinguished from physicians that the title of Mr became a badge of honour".

Ann: I once read that the reason surgeons revert to Mr. is because in the begginings people practically never recovered from surgery and those practicing surgery were seen more like butchers than doctors. Hence they lost the title Dr. Is the truth somewhere between our two stories?

Hi Philip, it's got quite a complicated history so I'm sure, like you say, the truth is somewhere in between! If you are interested, the full article that I quoted can be found on the BMJ web site

Hi Ann, thanks a million for the link, interesting reading!

You're welcome :oD

You will have to aim for a clinician scientist post once you complete all your studies. However, if you want to practice as a doctor then a PhD will be helpful. It all depends on what your ultimate aim is rather than wasting time and prolonging your clinical training.