Choosing a Training Path:
Physician Scientist Training Programs
These are usually programs that combine residency and research training. The motivation to do research and the choice of a research topic is often influenced by the clinical training. This type of program presents the opportunity for clinical training to drive research training. 
You may be able to apply elective time in your clinical component toward completing a graduate degree. It is important, however, that you have adequate time for high quality clinical training and that the research component provides a solid experience with outcomes including first authored high quality papers. The National Institutes of Health, and National Cancer Institute in particular, have developed special grants for physician scientist training programs. For more information, see www.nih.gov. For information about residency and fellowship training programs in Pathology and/or Laboratory Medicine, see www.pathologytraining.org.