Does anyone know of any schools that offer specific business courses for Medical Professionals. I am currently a first year osteopathic medical student, but I would really like to get some information on the business of medicine.

I am in an Osteopathic school as well and I have no business background at all and would like to have seminars or even courses in it. Just basics in setting up a practice, dealing with insurance companies, and learning what needs to be done to keep your practice afloat.

Two weeks ago in New York Doctors closed their offices and went to albany complaining about malpractice rates and how some doctors are retiring switching specialities because malpractice + overhead are driving them out of business.

Medical student will be incuring the largest debts that the profession has ever seen. If we are not taught how to deal with this we could have all the clinical skills in the world but you won't have patients because we couldn't start up a practice. Where do we get the money from to start a practice? (borrowing more money would sound crazy with students racking up 200,000 dollars in loans) Do you work for someone, hospital first to pay off loans or get your name out? I wish we had some guidence in these issues. These issues should be taught in Medical School, Residency, and fellowship programs. That way when it is time to practice we will be sound financially or have plan of how to have sound financially.

the student group of the Texas Medical Association has made various presentations having to do with health policy as well as medical business and economics.

Without a doubt, there is a strong need to improve education on the business and practical aspects of medicine. This is especially true as you start following discussions on Sermo.


Rotate with private practitioners and ask them about their business practice. Pick their brains to understand the nuances of running a practice, dealing with staffing, overhead, etc.

Med schools should offer an elective in "the business of medicine," covering basic accounting and marketing. There should be some sort of formal curriculum, instead of a hodgepodge of lectures during residency/ fellowship. Does anyone know if such electives exist? If not, I might try to blaze my own trail and take accounting and marketing at night during 4th year...

try to blaze my own trail and take accounting and marketing at night during 4th year...Admirable, but could cause stigma. I don't personally find peers, instructors or administrators to be fond of business interests.

I'm trying to squelch any of mine until graduation for that reason.