How to get published?

[med etudiant]

Sorry for my ignorance in advance.

How does a pre-med student, get published?

I just talked to someone in admisiones (I dont want to name the school) and they mentioned that is a plus (amongst others.)

Cheers!

[swimchick]

It means that you get yourself involved in a research project...when the research is published, your name will be included as a co-author if the PI felt your contribution was significant enough (ie you did more than wash the glassware).

I do know some of my friends made no significant contribution to their PI's research....but they told the PI they were pre-med and begged to be a co-author....kind of pathetic if you ask me.

In my lab....the first author is the one who wrote the paper...then we list the co-authors in order of contribution.

Research publications are certainly a plus on applications...but only do it if you're truly interested in participating in research. It took me about 1 year to get my name on a publication (pretty good considering I was a high school student) and about 3 years for me to muster up the confidence to write my own paper.

If you're interested...start on your college campus. See what kind of research is going on and if you find something you like, e-mail the PI to see if he/she would be willing to let you work with them. There are also summer research internships that you can look into.

[jameslynton]

Being a computer and statistics type, I was able to get co-author on about six journal articles and three articles in Runner's World. Find research - but find stuff you are interested in. I was interested in exercise physiology as a runner at a time when there was little knowledge about how different elite runners were. That is one of the keys I have found.
I had this conversation with my son today who is very interested in tropical medicine. Since he has had liver flukes and malaria - he has talking points at the CDC folks who work in this area. This gets you in the door, the rest is up to you.

[medicalmastery]

Nice comments. I would also add that, though less desirable, writing your own article, blog, or position paper can be directly submitted to online discussion sites, magazines or some of the lesser-known journals.

Wish you the best,

Daniel Williams, MD