Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Any good post-grad ideas for an MD wanting to do more tech stuff?

news.ycombinator.com

1–10 of 20 posts

Ask HN: Any good post-grad ideas for an MD wanting to do more tech stuff?

#1
Hi, I'm 34, have basically finished specialty training in anaesthesiology. I'm really keen to get into or get experience in either medical devices or medical technology of some sort. Can anyone recommend any interesting post-graduate study options, or other ideas along these lines?

Re: Ask HN: Any good post-grad ideas for an MD wanting to do more tech stuff?

#2
As an engineer in the medical device industry, I would offer that few people are in a better position to come up with those ideas than yourself. You have years of clinical experience, surely you've come across areas of practice that could be improved by technology or existing technology ripe for enhancement? Companies I work with pay good money for clinical input towards product development. If you want to get good input from a technical audience such as ours, I suggest describing your biggest pain points (no pun intended) in the profession.

Re: Ask HN: Any good post-grad ideas for an MD wanting to do more tech stuff?

#4
post #2

As an engineer in the medical device industry, I would offer that few people are in a better position to come up with those ideas than yourself. You have years of clinical experience, surely you've come across areas of practice that could be improved by technology or existing technology ripe for enhancement? Companies I work with pay good money for clinical input towards product development. If you want to get good i…

I would second this advice. To be a little more concrete:

What aspects of your specialty are the most expensive, the most time-consuming, the most error-prone, and/or the most dangerous?

Alternately, you can look at the delivery systems for improvement. Are there people who lack access to professionals with the needed skills, equipment, or supplies? Or who can't access them when they are needed.

I would strongly recommend you take a look at this book if you haven't already: https://www.amazon.com/Disciplined-Entrepreneurship-Steps-Su...

The book is quite awesome and there are two EdX courses that go with it that I'd also recommend: They are called Entrepreneurship 101 and 102. See: https://www.edx.org/course/entrepreneurship-101-who-customer...

Finally, there other online courses (Coursera or EdX) that specifically cover new product development in the Medical Device space.

Re: Ask HN: Any good post-grad ideas for an MD wanting to do more tech stuff?

#6
post #4
post #2

As an engineer in the medical device industry, I would offer that few people are in a better position to come up with those ideas than yourself. You have years of clinical experience, surely you've come across areas of practice that could be improved by technology or existing technology ripe for enhancement? Companies I work with pay good money for clinical input towards product development. If you want to get good i…

I would second this advice. To be a little more concrete: What aspects of your specialty are the most expensive, the most time-consuming, the most error-prone, and/or the most dangerous? Alternately, you can look at the delivery systems for improvement. Are there people who lack access to professionals with the needed skills, equipment, or supplies? Or who can't access them when they are needed. I would strongly reco…

Thanks; I'm in a similar situation myself. I'll look into those references.

Re: Ask HN: Any good post-grad ideas for an MD wanting to do more tech stuff?

#8
In Austria there is the possibility to study at medical informatics as Bachelor and Master Degree

You can look for example at the following link: https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/en/studies-further-educatio...

We got here (in Austria) plenty of ways to go in the medical technology area, as it is possible to attend a technical college for it.

As I dont now what you are looking for, I am not really able to help you.

Post reply on HN