MPH after MD - advise against it or for it?

Michelle111 · Aug 13, 2007

Hi,

I have a unique situation that I would like to ask advice on.

I enrolled in medical school in 2003 but ended up taking a year off between my M1 and M2 year. During that year off I took non-medical school classes and just relaxed because I needed it - felt burnt-out and thought it would be my last time to do something non-medical related.

I was very happy to return to medical school and do not regret my decision. I am to graduate in 2008 with my MD; however, I do regret that I did not get an MPH degree during my year off. I am very interested in International Health and would study with that focus in mind.

My question is should I just forget about getting the MPH degree and go straight to residency since my year off is surely to count against me in some way or should I continue to get my MPH degree right after graduation and go to residency after that? I want to go into Internal Medicine-Peds as a joint residency and if I can't place in that - into Pediatrics.

I used to want to practice international medicine and volunteer in countries who's health care is not as developed. I want to investigate it further, but I am worried it will hurt my chances of getting into residency since I will be delaying another year to get the MPH. Also, I am not sure what exactly the MPH will help me accomplish. Does anybody know what someone with MPH in international health goes on to do?

Any advice would be very much appreciated. Please no harsh comments.

Thanks!
Michelle

thedelicatessen · Aug 13, 2007

Although it would be unusual, I don't think it would be a negative thing to get your MPH after med school. You might consider a residency that would allow you to get the MPH while doing your residency, which may be possible in primary care.

superoxide · Aug 13, 2007

Michelle111 said:
Hi,

I have a unique situation that I would like to ask advice on.

I enrolled in medical school in 2003 but ended up taking a year off between my M1 and M2 year. During that year off I took non-medical school classes and just relaxed because I needed it - felt burnt-out and thought it would be my last time to do something non-medical related.

I was very happy to return to medical school and do not regret my decision. I am to graduate in 2008 with my MD; however, I do regret that I did not get an MPH degree during my year off. I am very interested in International Health and would study with that focus in mind.

My question is should I just forget about getting the MPH degree and go straight to residency since my year off is surely to count against me in some way or should I continue to get my MPH degree right after graduation and go to residency after that? I want to go into Internal Medicine-Peds as a joint residency and if I can't place in that - into Pediatrics.

I used to want to practice international medicine and volunteer in countries who's health care is not as developed. I want to investigate it further, but I am worried it will hurt my chances of getting into residency since I will be delaying another year to get the MPH. Also, I am not sure what exactly the MPH will help me accomplish. Does anybody know what someone with MPH in international health goes on to do?

Any advice would be very much appreciated. Please no harsh comments.

Thanks!
Michelle

Here's something:

http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/fd-doctor-pub-health

http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/fd-doctor-det-welfare

http://www.msf.org/msfinternational...53&component=toolkit.article&method=full_html

https://erecruit.who.int/public/hrd-cl-vac-view.asp?o_c=1000&jobinfo_uid_c=17678&vaclng=en

https://erecruit.who.int/public/hrd-cl-vac-view.asp?o_c=1000&jobinfo_uid_c=17181&vaclng=en

There are several others listed under the "employment" section on the WHO website (www.who.int)

Good luck!

GBFKicks · Aug 13, 2007

Michelle111 said:
Hi,

I have a unique situation that I would like to ask advice on.

I enrolled in medical school in 2003 but ended up taking a year off between my M1 and M2 year. During that year off I took non-medical school classes and just relaxed because I needed it - felt burnt-out and thought it would be my last time to do something non-medical related.

I was very happy to return to medical school and do not regret my decision. I am to graduate in 2008 with my MD; however, I do regret that I did not get an MPH degree during my year off. I am very interested in International Health and would study with that focus in mind.

My question is should I just forget about getting the MPH degree and go straight to residency since my year off is surely to count against me in some way or should I continue to get my MPH degree right after graduation and go to residency after that? I want to go into Internal Medicine-Peds as a joint residency and if I can't place in that - into Pediatrics.

I used to want to practice international medicine and volunteer in countries who's health care is not as developed. I want to investigate it further, but I am worried it will hurt my chances of getting into residency since I will be delaying another year to get the MPH. Also, I am not sure what exactly the MPH will help me accomplish. Does anybody know what someone with MPH in international health goes on to do?

Any advice would be very much appreciated. Please no harsh comments.

Thanks!
Michelle

I don't think it's uncommon for people to get their MPH after med school. Although most of the people who I know are in MD/MPH programs get their MPH before or during med school, I also know quite a few people that decided to to the MPH right after med school. It's not unheard of...

swim2006 · Aug 17, 2007

I know many people working on the MPH that already have an MD. I have one friend who is doing a fellowship that is actually paying for her MPH. She did her residency in OB/Gyn

MPH after MD - advise against it or for it?

Michelle111

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thedelicatessen

In Memory of Riley Jane

superoxide

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GBFKicks

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swim2006

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