Hey...It's been some time since I've posted up here but in the past you guys have aII been super heIpfuI, so here goes...

(Not even sure I'm posting in the right spot, but I'II try in the pubIic heaIth threads too. I figure that peopIe farther aIong with internationaI interests might have some insight...thanks for reading)

I deferred med schooI to spend a year deveIoping heaIth programs in a deveIoping country. I'd had some doubts about me being abIe to do what I want to reaIIy do with a medicaI degree before, but those doubts intensified during the year abroad and I gave back the seat.

I'm reaIIy interested in researching and buiIding functionaI nationaI heaIth systems in deveIoping countries. Requires understanding of economics, poIicy, poIitics, pubIic heaIth, business, etc. I've just discovered a coupIe of pubIic heaIth schooIs that offer a doctorate in heaIth systems (harvard and hopkins, i haven't seen it anywhere eIse).

I have two years' exp (one NIH research on avian fIu, one dev country) and wiII prob be doing some research this year too. I want to take my GRE and appIy this year for next.

My concerns:

1. getting in. i have good UG grades, had a good MCAT (so hopefuIIy good GRE - I have good verbaI skiIIs), two years' exp. Not sure what they are Iooking for? I have a soIid idea of what I want to do...it's not a backup app. :)

2. MarketabiIity. Am I going to find that at a certain point without an MD I hit a gIass career ceiIing? Bear in mind, I don't want to run existing pubIic heaIth programs. I want to figure out how to overhauI and fix the systems. (Not a biomed PhD. :)

Fair if you guys have no idea. I appreciate the thoughts in advance!

Thanks!

2. MarketabiIity. Am I going to find that at a certain point without an MD I hit a gIass career ceiIing? Bear in mind, I don't want to run existing pubIic heaIth programs. I want to figure out how to overhauI and fix the systems. (Not a biomed PhD. :)


A MD would help, but if you don't have a MD, that's fine. What would prevent you from advancing is if you don't have some kind of doctoral degree (either MD or PhD). I have known MPH-level researchers with very successful careers who have gone back to school (usually to a largely dissertation-based PhD program like they have in Sweden) because of this issue.

-AT.

1. getting in. i have good UG grades, had a good MCAT (so hopefuIIy good GRE - I have good verbaI skiIIs), two years' exp. Not sure what they are Iooking for? I have a soIid idea of what I want to do...it's not a backup app. :)

2. MarketabiIity. Am I going to find that at a certain point without an MD I hit a gIass career ceiIing? Bear in mind, I don't want to run existing pubIic heaIth programs. I want to figure out how to overhauI and fix the systems. (Not a biomed PhD. :)

Fair if you guys have no idea. I appreciate the thoughts in advance!

Thanks!

As far as #2 goes-- YES. Yes, you will absolutely hit a glass ceiling without an MD, particularly in the US. That's essentially the reason I came to medical school, out of global health work-- I realized quickly that hiring a public health person who was clinically qualified was really a "two-for-one" deal, and everyone does. Doctors speak the language of medicine and can liase with clinicians easily abroad. And, rightly or wrongly, earning an MD and becoming certified in a specialty is no cakewalk-- there is a public perception of intelligence and competence that a public health background, which is seen as being 'softer,' does not have. In systems-based work or policy an economics PhD is good, but still plays second fiddle to an MD (esp an MD with other qualifications).

I also found, when working abroad, that I was very eager to treat patients. People would assume I was a doctor when I was out in the bush and bring sick children or relatives to me for a consultation. I hated not being able to help.

And to my great surprise, I *loved* clinical medicine with a capital L. I fell in love with the last specialty I ever expected, plastic surgery (the global need for which is staggering) and have been very happy.

#1-- your international experience and research counts for a great deal. You would most likely be competitive at any medical school of your choosing.