Why M.D/MPH instead of either MPH or MD alone?

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I have been doing some research on kind of jobs you can get with M.D/MPH. It seems that most of the MPH jobs don't require you to be a physician. And those that require you to be a physician don't utilize the physician part of your education to a significant extend. It seems like a waste to get medical education and then not being able to use it.

So my question is why get both degrees when you are going to use only one of them? Just to satisfy ur ego?

Or some of you guys plan to use your MPH degree for a side/part time job/volunteer work that involves community development? I had the impression that with MPH degree you can be a full time practitioner, and use your MPH degree to assist the hospitals in developing community development programs. Apparently, it doesn't seem like the case.

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The Master of Public Health degree is a free-standing professional degree that allows its constituents to practice in a number of different arenas, including Health Policy & Management, Health Education/Behavior, Biostatistics, Environmental Health/Toxicology, Epidemiology, and so on and so forth. Public health careers within and between any of these disciplines varies widely, which makes public health difficult to define so generally outside of explaining its individual parts. The MPH is not terminal, but it can serve as a terminal degree for many (while some choose to continue on to obtain the PhD or DrPH).

When a clinician chooses to pursue a public health degree, s/he typically does so with some goal in mind (e.g., community health programming, etc.). This means that there are some people that go to medical school with the specific goal of being researchers, whether clinical or bench. Some know that they will practice for a few years, but want to work moreso at the administrative level to improve the way that healthcare is delivered. Some just want to practice without incorporation of anything else. Either way, the public health degree is flexible, not finite. Public health is not just about having an additional degree to satisfy one's ego, it is essentially a way of understanding things.

When you consider the traditional medical model, the practice of medicine is focused on the clinical aspects of science. It involves the treatment of each patient on an individual basis. When you consider things from the public health standpoint, you would expand the individual view to one that is population-based, and treatment would instead be a focus on preventing a person from having a disease in the first place (or at least teaching people how to manage their illness so that they prevent further deterioration due to a disease). Thus, having knowledge of public health expands the viewpoint of the clinician to consider things that s/he may not have considered without knowledge of these principles. Each concentration in public health allows for anyone that desires to make an impact on public health to do so in a way that is most productive for them and the most beneficial for the constituents that they serve.

There are many clinicians that practice public health but do not have formal training in it. Public health and medicine were once "one", but made a split inthe earlier half of last century. Now, there is more of an emphasis on public health in medicine. Honestly, it is difficult to imagine medicine without the practice of public health and the understanding that with each patient, there is an opportunity to impact overall community health.

So, to answer your question, the utility of the public health degree is not in actually having the additional letters behind your name, but moreso in the everyday incorporation of public health into your thought processes and practice. Public health is just an adjunct that may allow (not guarantee) you to be a better physician, but medicine is not a necessity as far as strengthening public health - which stands on its own to effect change.

Hope this answers your question.
 
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I don't think you fully understand what public health is actually about. Heal&Teach did a great job in explaining it. Public health takes looking at health issues on a population basis rather than the individual. It's about changing the health outcomes for the masses. It's for the betterment of the health status of the population, preventing and/or eliminating disease. I have a MPH, but not a MD. I am perfectly satisfied with a MPH. It's all dependent on what it is that you are interested in. A MD with a MPH does not necessarily mean you have to work in a public health setting...but overall, it can help you in your practice. It's not about satisfying an ego! It can be as simple as using it in your practice to educate your patients on prevention and risk reduction. From my experience working in public health, many doctors do not fully understand the work of public health and many are hesitant in working with us. (I'm not saying all doctors are this way, but I've experienced this attitude many times.) We should all be working together, so having some additional knowledge of another health field can only be a plus. My personal opinion is that if you are a MD, a public health degree or even some knowledge of the field can only benefit you in your career and the overall care you can offer your patient.
 
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My purpose in pursuing the dual degree is because I want to do work in systems planning in the future. The MPH gives you an understanding of healthcare systems and how they work and is concerned with populational medicine, whereas an MD focuses on how to treat individual patients. A medical education does not give you nearly the background that is required in healthcare or public health at large for you to just have an MD and grasp this field.

The above posts are great explanations of the specific advantages that MPHs confer.
 
Thank you all guys, esp H&T. i really appreciate it. I feel I have a better insight of what Public Health is about :)
 
That was a brilliant reply Heal & Tech! :clap:
 
Nakhrewali said:
That was a brilliant reply Heal & Tech! :clap:
I have to second that! :thumbup:
 
Need more convincing? Read this AMSA article:
http://www.amsa.org/cph/mdmphguide.cfm

Here are some excerpts:

Why should you do an MPH…before medical school?
  • "I did my MPH between undergraduate school and medical school. I was really interested in international health and environmental health, and also health policy. I was interested in medical school but I felt that I needed to explore public health in a structured way first (as my interest in medicine was very much based in what I could do in public health in the future). I think I actually would have quit medical school with all its frustrations and myopic view of health if I didn't have the base of public health to go on."
  • "The full public health experience" - a full year (or two) devoted to public health, and an MPH's perspective while attending medical school
  • Don't have to juggle medical school and public health school classes
  • Many people who earn an MPH before medical school do so as deferment of entry (either for academic or personal reasons). Those who do it mindfully have a very broad perspective that usually is grounded in personal experience (peace corps, family history, etc.).
  • Great suggestion for pre-meds that didn't get into med school right away and are looking for experience, a degree, and an extra "umf" to their resume.
Why should you do an MPH…ever?
  • To approach health as a population-based issue rather than an individual one
  • To contextualize health: social, economic, cultural, religious, etc.
  • To gain research skills (e.g. epidemiology and biostatistics) that build the foundation of public health
  • To develop and implement health programs in limited resource settings that are tailored to the specific needs of the community and in partnership with that community.
  • A broader range of career options
  • Increase networking potential - access to key people in the public health world in your community
  • Opportunity to travel or experience health from a different perspective
  • It gives you credibility in public health circles and trying to advocate for change in your community (or outside of it) on a policy level
  • Access to an institution with resources that can be used for the communities with which you work
  • "One of the best things about any MPH program is the group of people that you're surrounded by. Everyone has different goals, experiences, focuses, but we're still like-minded in many respects. Most of us want to make a change, or to become part of change that's already taking place. We push each other to think through conversations within and outside of class. We recommend books to one another, and we let each other know about lectures that are taking place nearby. We force each other to look at things differently. This environment - in addition to the classes, obviously - is extremely conducive to learning and thinking about public health issues, as well as for making friends and connections that will likely remain for years… The classes are extremely engaging and truly help me to see how medicine is practiced on many levels."
 
BTW, I'm pretty sure that the current head of the CDC (or a recent one) was an MD/MPH
 
Why should you do an MPH…before medical school?
  • "I did my MPH between undergraduate school and medical school. I was really interested in international health and environmental health, and also health policy. I was interested in medical school but I felt that I needed to explore public health in a structured way first (as my interest in medicine was very much based in what I could do in public health in the future). I think I actually would have quit medical school with all its frustrations and myopic view of health if I didn't have the base of public health to go on."
  • "The full public health experience" - a full year (or two) devoted to public health, and an MPH's perspective while attending medical school

Having gone through the MPH program confirms my passion for medicine (and honestly, I don't think I would have decided to pursue medical school if it wasn't for what I learned during the course of my MPH study). I have to agree with a few of the posts above that having an MPH can only help you as a physician. To all those who are debating on doing a dual degree (MD/MPH or DO/MPH), I strongly encourage it!
 
Having gone through the MPH program confirms my passion for medicine (and honestly, I don't think I would have decided to pursue medical school if it wasn't for what I learned during the course of my MPH study). I have to agree with a few of the posts above that having an MPH can only help you as a physician. To all those who are debating on doing a dual degree (MD/MPH or DO/MPH), I strongly encourage it!

I was wondering what about a MPH encourages you to be a MD? A MPH helps you be a better doctor, does it work the other way around? does a MD help you better practice public health?

I want to work in global health, and I'm trying to decide between a MD/MPH or just a MPH. I know doctors work in global health, but they often become no more than technicians, or as OP said, barely uses anything from the medical training. On the other hand, I've hear people say a MD helps your career advancement, though I'm now doubting whether the years of youth and intense debt are worth it. Any thoughts?
 
I was wondering what about a MPH encourages you to be a MD? A MPH helps you be a better doctor, does it work the other way around? does a MD help you better practice public health?

I want to work in global health, and I'm trying to decide between a MD/MPH or just a MPH. I know doctors work in global health, but they often become no more than technicians, or as OP said, barely uses anything from the medical training. On the other hand, I've hear people say a MD helps your career advancement, though I'm now doubting whether the years of youth and intense debt are worth it. Any thoughts?

I am aware of a masters in Global Medicine. The only one that I know of (I am sure that there are more) is at USC. I think that this might fit you slightly snugger than an MPH.
 
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Hi Artemis--

I have an MD and an MPH and recently published a book on public health careers. In my experience, if you only want to do "MPH" things, like program development, evaluation, social marketing, epidemiology... You don't need the MD, and I think your concerns about the debt and giving up your 20s are spot on. (Honestly I think it would be great if all high-level public health folks had MD-type knowledge, but that's not the way of the world right now.)

If you want to take care of patients as part of your work, or you want to take on a medical director role, you'll need the MD. Or, at least for the patient-care part, you could look into a nursing degree instead--less investment and there are some RNs doing really cool things. And yes, there are some "top jobs" that require an MD, but there are also many interesting opportunities that don't.

Oh, and I agree with pretty much everything other folks have posted here about the MD/public health issue :)

Good luck, and I hope you find the path that's right for you!

--Beth
 
I'm in a similar jam. For the longest time I've been interested in vector borne diseases. Recently had a paper published on mosquito behavior based on my UG work at Rutgers. I'm currently enrolled in an MPH program and for the longest time I wanted to do both. But I'm not sure if I can handle medical school, especially after not getting in. Right now I'm going with the "Public Health experience first, explore careers, then determine what's right" but then comes time. If I am certain now shouldn't I enroll in a postbacc program or carib school and earn a second degree while in med school??

My holy grail-- to be able to plan population based programs as well as treat patients is something that I feel will always be out of reach. Maybe I'll just be focused on getting a stable job as I move on in life and eventually have a wife and kids.
 
I would like to reopen this thread. For those pursuing, or those who have, or want a dual MD/MPH, what is your reasoning and/or what have you gained as a result that you wouldn't have if you just had the MD degree?
 
If one is already pursuing an MD, they should not pursue an MPH just to have the 3 additional letters on their name [or thinking that the MPH will increase their job prospects]. They should pursue the MPH for the perspective it will give them rather than doing it b/c lots of people have MD/MPHs and that seems the way to go. Ask yourself: what would I learn from the MPH that I can learn by just reading on my own? What would I learn from the MPH that would be very difficult to learn outside the classroom? The truth is, you can learn much of what an MPH teaches outside the classroom, or reading the same textbooks they read. I would say, among the most important things an MD can learn in a masters degree is a quantitative skill set like biostatistics, epidemiology, etc. It's a skill set that is best learned in classroom settings. With that quantitative skill set, you broaden what you're able to do--you can do clinical research, large-scale epidemiological studies, and global health research. Some people here will argue that the MPH classes are still important for giving you a public health perspective, and I agree with that, but I still think a lot of it can be learned outside a classroom setting. The term opportunity cost is more important here: would you rather take a year off from med school to do a masters degree, or get job experience (like an internship or fellowship)?

I'm a medical student, and I see lots of people taking a year off to do an MPH. I think that's great and all. I may even pursue one, potentially. It just seems like a lot to do. It depends on what things you're interested in doing down the road. The problem is, a lot of people don't quite know what they want to do. They just know they want to work in global health, and they think the MPH will open up more opportunities down the road. But then some medical students have very good, clear reasons to do the MPH, and wouldn't have chosen another route. All I would recommend is to look really carefully into other options. Would you rather take a year off to do an MPH, or maybe go intern at the WHO in Geneva, do global health research, or work at the CDC for a year? Your experience and skill set matter more in global health--if you feel you absolutely need the degree for the skill set, then go for it. If you think you can develop that skill set outside a classroom setting, maybe you shouldn't do it.
 
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The MPHTM program in my department is very clinically oriented. Lots of people here do an MD/MPHTM simply because it gives them a whole bunch of extra clinical training.
 
This is an interesting thread with great answers!
I'm a recent PharmD graduate considering the MPH, I felt like during pharmacy school we didn't discover the breadth of problems regarding overall health and disparities amongst certain populations. However, the pharmacy field is becoming saturated and I'm looking to see what job options would be available with a public health degree by itself as I don't know many PharmD/MPHs and not sure how the degrees are used together as pharmacy is more so recently becoming clinical.
 
At my school, a lot of people doing an MD also do an MPH simply because it's a ton of extra clinical training on top of the MD, and on topics in depths that they won't get in the MD curriculum.
 
I'm a medical student, and I see lots of people taking a year off to do an MPH. I think that's great and all. I may even pursue one, potentially. It just seems like a lot to do. It depends on what things you're interested in doing down the road. The problem is, a lot of people don't quite know what they want to do. They just know they want to work in global health, and they think the MPH will open up more opportunities down the road. But then some medical students have very good, clear reasons to do the MPH, and wouldn't have chosen another route. All I would recommend is to look really carefully into other options. Would you rather take a year off to do an MPH, or maybe go intern at the WHO in Geneva, do global health research, or work at the CDC for a year? Your experience and skill set matter more in global health--if you feel you absolutely need the degree for the skill set, then go for it. If you think you can develop that skill set outside a classroom setting, maybe you shouldn't do it.

I am an incoming first year medical student and I am interested in the dual degree MD/MPH program which my medical school has offers. My school allows you to take off a year of medical school to do research or get another degree essentially for free (for a small fee). Some medical students even do the MD/MPH in all four years (which I heard is hard but doable). In the past I heard that some residency programs offer the MPH as well. I was thinking that I should just go ahead and do the MPH alongside my MD for 5 years. Or is there a good reason to wait until I am a resident?
 
I am an incoming first year medical student and I am interested in the dual degree MD/MPH program which my medical school has offers. My school allows you to take off a year of medical school to do research or get another degree essentially for free (for a small fee). Some medical students even do the MD/MPH in all four years (which I heard is hard but doable). In the past I heard that some residency programs offer the MPH as well. I was thinking that I should just go ahead and do the MPH alongside my MD for 5 years. Or is there a good reason to wait until I am a resident?
I would see if you can potentially do an MD/MPH in 4 years like you mention. You probably have to spend your free summers taking coursework, but I think it's worth it. That extra year can be used to do a whole lot of things (research, fellowship, internship, etc). Not really sure what to say on the residency thing. You'd have to bank on getting into a residency program that allows you to do that (is this a sure thing?). If you do it in residency, can you still finish the residency in the regular time, or does it take 1 more year? These are some questions I don't know answers to. The most commonly taken route is to do MPH after 3rd year of med school, I believe. You can go that route. Personally I would try hardest for the route that allows you to do the MD/MPH in 4 years. That extra year you save is precious if you decide to take another year off in med school to do something that interests you [like a fellowship].
 
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Curious if people doing MPH for research training were from qualitative fields or designing a specific research training focus within their MPH program?

I'm a clinician and would like to develop some research/quantitative skills to be able to answer questions like "did the behavioral intervention I tried out seem to make a difference in a given population compared to not using it?"

Would most MPH programs teach me how to answer those type if questions? Appreciate any thoughts?
 
I'm a clinician and would like to develop some research/quantitative skills to be able to answer questions like "did the behavioral intervention I tried out seem to make a difference in a given population compared to not using it?"

Would most MPH programs teach me how to answer those type if questions? Appreciate any thoughts?

Depends on your specific field. If you're getting an MPH in biostats or epi, you could probably use it for this. An executive Master's program in something like clinical trials might work better for your goals.
 
Curious if people doing MPH for research training were from qualitative fields or designing a specific research training focus within their MPH program?

I'm a clinician and would like to develop some research/quantitative skills to be able to answer questions like "did the behavioral intervention I tried out seem to make a difference in a given population compared to not using it?"

Would most MPH programs teach me how to answer those type if questions? Appreciate any thoughts?

At Yale (where I went for my PhD), I concurrent took many classes with the advanced professionals (typically an MD) who were looking to supplement their medical training with some research methods training. The program was focused on a combination of epidemiology methods and biostatistics analysis courses to prepare these individuals for research skills.
 
could someone kindly help me with a few queries i have...

1) if i would like to pursue my career in internal medicine(M.D) working in a hospital, what are the ways an MPH would be of any help to me?
2) if someone gets an MPH after their MD, and mainly wants to do clinical work but research side by side...is it possible? or do u have to focus on any one at a time?
3) can a doctor( MD internal medicine) employed at a hospital work as a hospital epidemiologist as well as an Internist at the same time or not?
4) is it possible to work in the field of public health for sometime and then purely do clinical practice and then again switch back to public health related fields?
5) can a doctor conduct clinical research without an MPH degree?
6)which speciality of MPH should an Internal Medicine MD focus on?( epidemiology, infectios disease, health policy?)
7)can a doctor with MPH concentrating in Health Policy and Management work simultaenously on the administrative side as well as clinical side in a hospital?
8)what is the chance of a foreign medical graduate with MPH from one top the top US universities in Health policy and management, of getting hired in to hospital administrative section ?
9)what are the positions a doctor with MPH health policy management work in ?
 
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could someone kindly help me with a few queries i have...

1) if i would like to pursue my career in internal medicine(M.D) working in a hospital, what are the ways an MPH would be of any help to me?
2) if someone gets an MPH after their MD, and mainly wants to do clinical work but research side by side...is it possible? or do u have to focus on any one at a time?
3) can a doctor( MD internal medicine) employed at a hospital work as a hospital epidemiologist as well as an Internist at the same time or not?
4) is it possible to work in the field of public health for sometime and then purely do clinical practice and then again switch back to public health related fields?
5) can a doctor conduct clinical research without an MPH degree?
6)which speciality of MPH should an Internal Medicine MD focus on?( epidemiology, infectios disease, health policy?)
7)can a doctor with MPH concentrating in Health Policy and Management work simultaenously on the administrative side as well as clinical side in a hospital?
8)what is the chance of a foreign medical graduate with MPH from one top the top US universities in Health policy and management, of getting hired in to hospital administrative section ?
9)what are the positions a doctor with MPH health policy management work in ?

bump
 
At my school, a lot of people doing an MD also do an MPH simply because it's a ton of extra clinical training on top of the MD, and on topics in depths that they won't get in the MD curriculum.

Just curious, what exactly do you mean by "extra clinical training" on top of the MD?
 
I would see if you can potentially do an MD/MPH in 4 years like you mention. You probably have to spend your free summers taking coursework, but I think it's worth it. That extra year can be used to do a whole lot of things (research, fellowship, internship, etc). Not really sure what to say on the residency thing. You'd have to bank on getting into a residency program that allows you to do that (is this a sure thing?). If you do it in residency, can you still finish the residency in the regular time, or does it take 1 more year? These are some questions I don't know answers to. The most commonly taken route is to do MPH after 3rd year of med school, I believe. You can go that route. Personally I would try hardest for the route that allows you to do the MD/MPH in 4 years. That extra year you save is precious if you decide to take another year off in med school to do something that interests you [like a fellowship].

I would like to do the MD/MPH in 4 years but if I have to be honest with myself I am not sure it is the best route for me since I feel like I really need the study time to master the regular medical school circulum at my school, my current extracirculars, and other electives. I am currently signing up for a certificate in public health and I was told that I can switch to the masters program later and have the classes from the certificate program count toward the masters program. I am interested in other options though. I need special permission from my medical school Dean to take a year off of medical school (to do anything) but as I experienced before medical school, experience is more valuable than education but I do value having a strong understanding and foundation as well. So I am not sure what is the best thing to do? If I do the master's program we are required to do a practicum so I will have experience if I do the master's program I think.

I envision extending my role as a physician (currently interested in going into primary care but open to other specialities as well) to community health leader in which I will not only advocate for the health of my patients but work with other health care workers and community members to improve the health of the community. I am interested in public health want some educational background and understanding in health care policy, health care law, the social and behavioral aspects of public health. I have a lot of research experience (clinical, basic, some community health research) and although I value research and I believe that I could have a role in future community health and community based participatory research, I see my role as more of an advocate for my patients and for those in need within the community that I will serve. Nevertheless, at least at the beginning of my career, I think I want my focus to be mostly working directly with patients but have a role as an advocate, etc as well possibly having a shift in how I my professional roles as I see fit and as is needed in the future. I could also see myself as a future professor but right now I truely desire to focus on my future patients and also serve as an advocate for them.

Anyways, I look forward to hearing anyone's thoughts.

Thank you for all your advice.
 
I would like to do the MD/MPH in 4 years but if I have to be honest with myself I am not sure it is the best route for me since I feel like I really need the study time to master the regular medical school circulum at my school, my current extracirculars, and other electives. I am currently signing up for a certificate in public health and I was told that I can switch to the masters program later and have the classes from the certificate program count toward the masters program. I am interested in other options though. I need special permission from my medical school Dean to take a year off of medical school (to do anything) but as I experienced before medical school, experience is more valuable than education but I do value having a strong understanding and foundation as well. So I am not sure what is the best thing to do? If I do the master's program we are required to do a practicum so I will have experience if I do the master's program I think.

I envision extending my role as a physician (currently interested in going into primary care but open to other specialities as well) to community health leader in which I will not only advocate for the health of my patients but work with other health care workers and community members to improve the health of the community. I am interested in public health want some educational background and understanding in health care policy, health care law, the social and behavioral aspects of public health. I have a lot of research experience (clinical, basic, some community health research) and although I value research and I believe that I could have a role in future community health and community based participatory research, I see my role as more of an advocate for my patients and for those in need within the community that I will serve. Nevertheless, at least at the beginning of my career, I think I want my focus to be mostly working directly with patients but have a role as an advocate, etc as well possibly having a shift in how I my professional roles as I see fit and as is needed in the future. I could also see myself as a future professor but right now I truely desire to focus on my future patients and also serve as an advocate for them.

Anyways, I look forward to hearing anyone's thoughts.

Thank you for all your advice.

I think it's always easier to get more training while you're already training rather than trying to add further training once you're already working. Mainly, it's an energy and time availability issue. That said, if you're the type that might be okay going to additional training after working 12+ hours a day, then that's awesome! I've found that generally, the advance professional MPH programs still do require a practicum, which is why that timing aspect is important--you still have some flexibility when your outside of training responsibilities are relatively lower compared to after you've started internship/residency/fellowship.

But I think your ideas of being a community leader with research to support that community is a great mentality to have towards your MPH training. You'll likely get the tools you want to attain your objectives during your MPH program.
 
To echo the posts above and to add my 2 cents, I chose a MPH because I thought I wanted to be an epidemiologist, but through the process learned I also wanted to treat patients and thus earned a MD.

Spending 2 years on the MPH not in the context of the MD allowed me to focus purely on the MPH. This allowed for international travel/research/networking, applying epidemiological methods to multiple fields of practice, and low-stress high-learning at a top-tier institution where I would have no chance of acceptance to medical school.

Having completed a MD alongside colleagues who were doing dual degree (MD/MPH, MD/MHA, MD/MBA, MD/MEd etc.) the downsides that were shared regarded the fact MD training distracted from the other degree and vice versa - not to mention the stress of completing a 2 year degree in 1, additional requirements to be completed during the final year of MD training, depending on where you are doing the dual degree - you get equipped with the tools - but often research/networking opportunities/connections are not 'top-tier' level, and overall stresses of medical education.

At the end of it all, the 'system' of education works and so long as you are interested and put forth effort, it is rewarding. It is very true that with 'just' an MD, you are expected to and capable of understanding and performing research, but having the additional degree demonstrates to future employers that you were interested enough to put the time/effort/money to get the degree and it is 1-2 years of time for networking, networking, and networking - which is clutch for developing your area of interest and future employment.
 
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