Is a joint MD and BME PhD helpful for being a researcher

[Quicksand]

Just curious if there was significant benefit to obtaining an MD in addition to a PhD in biomedical engineering through one of the many joint degree programs available out there if one is interested in primarily doing research for a living. Does the MD not help that much? I've heard that it can be helpful in terms of getting funding. Thanks!

[Dubya]

It certainly opens up more doors. I'm not in BME, but if I could go back in time I would apply to a few MD/PhD programs.

[Stories]

No. Just do the PhD if strict research is your career path. The MD/PhD programs are designed for physician scientists. If you want to practice medicine AND do research in BME, then the dual-degree option is the way to go.

[noojens]

My understanding is that certain aspects of biomedical research require a MD to perform. For instance, a biophysics research group I worked briefly with was devising methods of in vitro imaging of cancer cells - but to perform experiments with living tissues the physicists had to have the assistance of an MD. The MD's role was more of a rubber stamp than any meaningful contribution; nonetheless, having the credential opens certain doors that are closed to purely scientific researchers.

Your mileage may vary.