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To: Journal of NEUROL NEUROSURG PSYCHIATRY Letters

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Editorial: Daniel Blackburn and Dayangku Siti Pengiran Tengah Why bother with research when training to be a neurologist? PRACTICAL NEUROLOGY 2007; 7: 282-284 [Full text] [PDF]

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Career driven and clinically relevant research

Andre J des Etages   (11 October 2007)

Career driven and clinically relevant research 11 October 2007
Andre J des Etages, SpR Neurosurgery Southampton General Hospital Send letter to journal: Re: Career driven and clinically relevant research deandre65uk{at}aol.com Andre J des Etages	Dear Editor, This article highlights an important aspect of scientific training not only to neurologists, but to all clinicians. Advances in neuroimaging,genetic analysis and molecular biology constantly advance our understanding of disease and challenge our approach to treating patients. This demands that even clinically oriented neurologists and neurosurgeons have not only a basic understanding of the process of rigourous scientific method, but also of the ethical and socio-economic impact of these changes. It is hoped that by doing a postgraduate degree,these goals might be achieved. Post-graduate training has traditionally meant taking time out of clinical training to do one's degree.Frequently the research project that is undertaken has little bearing on the actual clinical impact the doctor will make in their careers. A research degree should have a clear practical application to the student who is going to undertake it. In that regard, the challenge for clinical neuroscientists is to develop projects that are career driven and clinically relevant. As a neurosurgical trainee,I found that a Clinical Neuroscience MSc was a good foundation for neurological illness. However the degree whilst teaching the fundamentals of neurological disease and neurochemistry, had very little bearing on the practice of neurological surgery. It was of tremendous value to the psychologists and neurologists on the program. Thankfully,a thesis on brain tumours saved the day. The question, each trainee needs to answer is "Does this program provide me with skills to produce clinically meaningful research that will help my patient, further my profession and advance my career?". The challenge facing postgraduate boards is to provide this within the context of clinical training.On going research should be part of clinical training,at the end of which, a clinically oriented higher degree is the result. Andre J des Etages