What should i do?

[Hawkenthesky]

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[Fencer]

See my PM. You are competitive for MD/PhD programs, and you will do fine as is. You don't need to take any additional time to do more clinical stuff if you do apply MD/PhD only (100-150 clinical hrs - no more; rest is research). MD programs might want you to have around 500 hrs of clinical stuff.

 

[Gorilla-san]

Can I do research between/after med school and my residency?

Its possible but you might as well do a research residency

Can straight MDs still get matched to research residency/fellowship programs?

definitely yes*

Can you do research during medical school?

YES*

Would I be able to get my own research lab at a research or university hospital with just an MD?

1000% yes*

would I need a masters?

NO

Or is MD/PhD the only option to be seriously involved in both (basic/translational) research and medicine?

No*

*There are tons of straight MDs who do great research work AND have faculty positions, the pathway length is approximately the same but however it is easier (doing a md/phd is definitely not easy) but it is a lot more structured and tons of advantages that come along with doing an Md/phd. (more competitive for grants, residencies etc., although there are caveats to this as well. See Neuronix's blog) the current climates for research have gotten super competitve and are only expected to get worse so having the phd(and the training to go along with it) will definitely give you the extra edge.

You are definitely a competitive applicant for an Md/phd if your heart is set on research then go for it.

 

[Gorilla-san]

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[SurfingDoctor]

I agree with what @Gorilla-san said in answer to your questions. I am a MD-only who does research (basic science no less). The only thing I would add is that is unusual to take time off between medical school and residency to do research. Most people will go onto residency and/or fellowship and either get on a T32 grant (easiest route) or apply for an individual F32 (much harder). Many fellowships require some research component to them. For those really serious about a career as a physician-scientist, they need to extend that research time through the mechanisms I just mentioned.

 

[eteshoe]

I'll just copy my answer from your duplicate post:

So if I did just an MD, what are my options?
Many options

Can I do research between/after med school and my residency?
You can take a research year during med school. Not that uncommon to just do 5 yrs these days.
During residency - you can depending on the specialty and how the program is structured.

Can straight MDs still get matched to research residency/fellowship programs?
If you're talking about something like a PSTP (physician scientist training program) residency, then it's possible you would just need to demonstrate that you've had extensive research experience. These are extremely competitive programs and can have a lot of strings attached. Search 'pstp' on SDN and read what people way further down the path have to say. IMO, you could just do residency + fellowship + optional postdoc (depending if you have enough data, publications, etc to actually start a lab)

Can you do research during medical school?
Yes, plenty do

Would I be able to get my own research lab at a research or university hospital with just an MD?
Yes but depending on the scope of your research, pressure from your department chair, etc - it may not be easy to do.

would I need a masters?
Not really

Or is MD/PhD the only option to be seriously involved in both (basic/translational) research and medicine?
It's not the only option but it is a 'streamlined' option that gives one protected research time to develop their skill set. The further down the path you go (e.g. after residency or fellowship) the harder it will be to secure enough time to buildup your toolbox (not impossible but increasingly difficult). Also you'll have to resolve that doing the dual degree means you may not be as good as the folks who have time to master one craft. But being driven, choosing a smart problem to tackle, and a bit of luck can always help.

Overall, these are just my opinions from talking to the folks in my program, hospital system, friends further down the path, family. Take it wait ha grain of salt and good luck.