Considering an MPH

[SuperHero]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am a third year student interested in EM/IM. I ultimately plan to practice some form of international medicine, and then subspecialize; in what I'm not sure. I am also very interested in how the medical community works outside of just clinical aspects. Due to that interest I got an MBA with a joint degree at my school this past year. I was satisfied with that program, but it didn't give me the perspective on the health care field that I was looking for. I would like to get an MPH, but I don't know if it would be better for me to get it right after medical school, or if I should start residency and then get involved in a program, or later on? Also I don't know what I would be able to use it for in the long run.

Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated

 

[thedelicatessen]

I always thought of MBA and MPH as opposite degrees, but I guess both provide interesting insight. If you're looking for a "year off," doing the MPH between med school and residency would be a good idea, but you would likely have to pay your own tuition. Some residencies will cover the cost of getting your MPH, which could be beneficial. As for doing the MPH after residency, most people at my institution have already established their careers before the MPH, so that too is possible. They're all viable routes.

From what I've seen the MPH is beneficial in academic medicine or major community-based efforts, but I would think that with the MBA and MPH there would be a lot of managerial options for you. Good luck!