Post-graduate research or BMedSci?

[horizon]

In final year medicine and now thinking about the future pathway having properly decided (in my mind) on my specialty this year...I found it a bit difficult choosing my specialty, but now that I have, I know what field I'm interested to do research in. I was wondering would it be better doing a BMedSci after 5th year or going straight into internship and then doing post-grad research later? I'm really open to either at the moment, so it would really depend on which would work better overall and time. I've had a look into post-grad research options and apart from the PhD and set masters of research programs (none of which I'm truly interested in), it appears the BMedSci is an good option if I want to choose specifically what area I'm interested in. Any thoughts? 

[Russ]

If you're interested in research as more than just a way to get a job, doing the BMedSci is a fine idea. Don't worry too much if it's not in the field you think you want to specialise in; your medical school research won't be too relevant and you may well go down a different pathway.

[horizon]

Easy, thanks!
But also, are you implying that I'll need a PhD further down the track for many specialties now? Or simply just more substantial research? ;P

[Russ]

I was saying that the research year from uni being in an area you (think you) want to specialise in is unlikely to appreciably change the likelihood of you making it into that field, so don't worry too much about doing it for that reason. PhD's are becoming more common and non-surgical colleges (RACP, RANZCP etc.) are requiring research as part of training now.

[horizon]

Oh I see. Thanks for sharing your insight - I hear various things and it's difficult to know what's truly a reflection of what happens in reality or merely just a snapshot anyway, I'm interested in researching something I'm passionate about, so (I think) I'll enjoy a year's of different work for a change anyway!