My research, what do you think?

I have a question for you orthopaedic surgeons. What kind of skills besides the ones you usually learn in med school do you need to become an innovative / skilled ortho surgeon? Higher biomechanics, engineering, molecular biology or/and what?

I’m going to conduct research about the analysis of certain exercises and its strain on our body with emphasis on joints (mostly the knees) where biomechanics and physics is applied. Obviously I want to be an orthopod and I’d like to know whether I’m on the right track.

I’m also thinking about doing bone biology later on during my studies however, unfortunately it’s not done at my school so I will possibly be doing it together with an elective. Apart from that we have the usual research in OA though it is hard for me to get hands on since I’m not yet on the clinical stage.

Thank you

I think your research sounds interesting. It would be helpful to know a couple of things that would help
1. what year of medical school are you in
2. how much time are you going to spend on your research

the reason i ask is because if you are are a 1st year med student and have the time to do the research during the school year and complete it before you start your clinical rotations, i say go for it ... i would stick to one area of research, because i fear you will spread yourself thin ....

if you are further along in medical school, and don't have the time ... i would recommend you concentrate on school work and the USMLE ... because these will be more important than doing a research project that does not end up in a presentation or publication ...

unfortunately or fortunately, the school you attend, the USMLE score, your clinical grades, and your recommendations probably count more than an unpublished research project. your goal for a research project is to show a genuine interest in the project and orthopaedics and to come out with a PUBLICATION ....

I’m an European currently at the beginning of M2 out of 6 and will be taking USMLE step 1 in 1½ - 2 years depends on when I’m ready and I’m certainly going after >250+.

I can afford and will be spending about 10 – 15 hours per week in the school seasons and 30 – 35 hours in the summer where I have a 2 months summer holiday.

I have a research idea however the thing is I don’t know much about biomechanics, the methods and how to conduct research so I would have to spend this semester on learning with someone in order to do my own research later on. I have a friendly professor who have assigned me a phd student whom I could tail though I’m afraid that I won’t be learning enough because the phd doesn’t seem to be very enthusiastic.

I’m doing research on the side with the aim of publications because I’m interested but also I’m afraid that good USMLE scores and recc per se won’t cut it for a foreigner like me so I need to have a little more than the majority.