At our university a PhD thesis has to be examined by a specialist who is in possession of a doctorate themselves. It is not easy to find such people as an academic career for a clinician need not include the obtaining of further postgraduate degrees. I would like to put the question out there to find out just how uncommon or not teh Orthopaedic surgeon with a doctorate is.
In my department, there are two of us with PhDs. Both active in academia as well as clinical work. Depending on the thesis topic, you could consider one of us as potential examiner(s). I must admit that it is not common to see an orthopaedic surgeon with PhD and that this person is active in research, but since I am a member of the orthopaedic fraternity, I do know a few of such people. Hope this answer helps.
Hi,
I guess that about 25% of our orthpedic surgeons have a PhD. Among the anesthesiologists it is aproximately 10%. All of our doctors are mainly in clinical practice but some combine this with research.
In Spain the situation depends on the qualification of the hospital , in the University Hospitals the percentage of orthopedic surgeons PhD can reach 80%. In our country for obtaining the PhD is necessary to make a master after the medical studies and conduct a research work directed by a PhD, this work must be defended after at the University
In Sweden, where I got my PhD degree, the situation might very well be as described by Andreas Harsten, as you can take your PhD without quitting completely clinical work. In Italy it is quite different. PhD courses are usually 4-years programs in which you cannot do anything else but follow some lessons and research (usually basic research), and are very often a parking spot for those who come from university hospitals but have to wait to get a clinical post there. Hence I would guess the % is much lower, possibly less than 10%, and even most of full professors in Orthopaedics probably don't have a PhD degree. I guess it is similar in most clinical areas, it changes dramatically in the basic research areas. Very few surgeons decide to get into a PhD program abroad, as the University career in our country is still very much depending on local hierarchies, and once you go abroad it is very difficult to come back. In my case, I finished my PhD in Sweden while maintaining a clinical employment in a University Hospital here in Italy, still only 2 years later my academic career "ended". Now I work as a private surgeon and if I am still somewhat active in research (for free, of course, just for the fun of it!) it's because of international contacts and some students who ask for my advice.
Thank you all. I have tried to track some of you through the internet and have sent emails. I am grateful fro your inputs
Each day is less frequent that OS have interest at postgraduate formation including PHD. Research is not a clear option now. The question, at less in Spain,need some time to be redirect to new perspectives.
Dear Antonio, I think that there are still OSs out there who are interested in research. With busy schedules, I would suggest that PhDs by the route of theses by publication is the most doable. Its a pity we would lose the brain power from research just because its too difficult in places for an OS to do a PhD
There are a number of University appointed Orthopaedic surgeons in Canada with Masters degrees in Epidemiology, and a few with PhD's. Supervising surgeons are in short supply so they get quite busy. Academic rank is the usual requirement for a PhD supervisor.. Associate professor or professor, no clinical staff.
Yes I have a PhD and am a shoulder and elbow surgeon based at Stanmore, London in the UK. We are affliated with University College London.
(I am also a woman so I guess even more rare!)
The numbers of orthopaedic surgeons undertaking a PhD are fortunately increasing in our region, but it would still be the exception rather than the norm.
Hope this helps.
I think having a PhD is only an title, but that any orthopedic surgeon can do clinical research fundamentally to audit their results and know if you're doing the right thing
.This may be the beginning
Good point and well made, Antonio,
Honest evaluation of surgical outcome is fundamental to clinical practice.
I am an orthopaedic spinal surgeon with a PhD in Engineering Mechanics at CWRU.
I have a doctoral degree in Orthopaedic surgery. This is the standard in our country, we do not have PhD
I am an Paediatric orthopaedic surgeon with Master and PhD degree in DDH as a topic.