Does an MPH help you move up the ranks?

[iqe2010]

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Hello all.

I don't really know how it works, but say I wanted to be an ER physician and eventually become head of the emergency department. Would getting an MPH make it easier for me to do this, or is it more about who you know?

What about if I wanted to go into private practice? Would an MPH be beneficial in that endeavor?

Thanks.

 

[notbobtrustme]

getting to be director of anything is more about politics and asskissing than it is about credentials.

 

[MedPR]

Hello all.

I don't really know how it works, but say I wanted to be an ER physician and eventually become head of the emergency department. Would getting an MPH make it easier for me to do this, or is it more about who you know?

What about if I wanted to go into private practice? Would an MPH be beneficial in that endeavor?

Thanks.

An MHA would probably be better.. but it probably won't matter either way.

 

[Snarkitroph]

Most the ED Directors I know at private hospitals are straight MD's and got the job because they are the only ones who wanted it (in some cases, the only ones who allowed themselves to be bribed into it). I don't know how it is a big academic hospitals, but I don't think you need any sort of extra degree.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Hello all.

I don't really know how it works, but say I wanted to be an ER physician and eventually become head of the emergency department. Would getting an MPH make it easier for me to do this, or is it more about who you know?

What about if I wanted to go into private practice? Would an MPH be beneficial in that endeavor?

Thanks.

An MPH is meant for people looking into population health and not so much for people just working in the hospital setting or private practice. These physicians with an MPH are looking to help prevent epidemics like obesity or infectious diseases. Often you see these physicians working with the state government, federal programs like the CDC, or universities.

A better degree for the hospital setting is an MHA which is meant for administration purposes. Maybe you can look into a healthcare MBA (although I don't know much about this option).

In reality I don't think you need an extra degree but just gain knowledge about administration and business. This should be enough.

 

[pineapplepancakes]

I agree with IslandStyle. I think while an MPH can be really useful if you're aiming to work in public health, it probably wouldn't make a difference in the setting you seem interested in. Also, it's probably more about experience than degrees - although it may help to get some kind of administration/business degree later on down the road.

 

[Barcu]

An MPH, MHA, or even an MBA could all potentially be useful.

Many MDs pursue these degrees after they begin medicine, so you don't need to run out and complete one of these before starting med school or apply for a combined program. Instead, you can get your MD, start practicing, and then decide if you need a further degree to accomplish your career goals. You may or may not need it.

 

[LizzyM]

I agree that it is best to get a second degree during or after medical school rather than before.

One area of concentration in public health is "management" and is specifically geared at administration of health care facilities (except at some schools where it is more focused on health policy).

Public health is not just for government employees. The epidemiology and biostatistics portion of the education prepares students to conduct population based research including observational studies (like chart review studies and analysis of big databases) and interventional studies (clinical trials, assessments comparing different ways of providing care). At the very least, it prepares graduates to be informed consumers of research reports. It is also essential to those who wish to conduct this kind of research (usually in collaboration with others).

The AP style manual dictates that only one degree is listed after a person's name when it is published in a news release but if you look at journals such as New England Journal of Medicine, all the degrees are listed and you will see many people with both degrees who are working in academic medicine (patient care, research, and teaching--usually at the "bedside" not the lecture hall).

 

[init2winit]

This is an interesting thread. Though I was pre-med, I received my MPH--with the career goal of impacting large populations through improvements in public health and health policy. I've been working in health policy for the past year, and I've decided that a career in medicine will be more meaningful for me. I believe my MPH will give me a broader perspective when caring from patients. I also have an understanding of our complex health care system--from health care quality reporting requirements to payment and insurance.

Regarding MD admissions, I've heard from many (including 2 folks who have sat on AdComs) that my MPH certainly adds to my application. My colleges pre-med advising office told me an MPH won't matter for admissions.

At my public health school, a full 50 % of our students were either currently in medical school or already had MDs. So, there are different tracks that you can take!

 

[cuculici1]

I agree that it is best to get a second degree during or after medical school rather than before.

One area of concentration in public health is "management" and is specifically geared at administration of health care facilities (except at some schools where it is more focused on health policy).

Public health is not just for government employees. The epidemiology and biostatistics portion of the education prepares students to conduct population based research including observational studies (like chart review studies and analysis of big databases) and interventional studies (clinical trials, assessments comparing different ways of providing care). At the very least, it prepares graduates to be informed consumers of research reports. It is also essential to those who wish to conduct this kind of research (usually in collaboration with others).

The AP style manual dictates that only one degree is listed after a person's name when it is published in a news release but if you look at journals such as New England Journal of Medicine, all the degrees are listed and you will see many people with both degrees who are working in academic medicine (patient care, research, and teaching--usually at the "bedside" not the lecture hall).

LizzyM, somewhat of an unrelated question, but how much does getting an MPH before med school impact your application?

 

[LizzyM]

LizzyM, somewhat of an unrelated question, but how much does getting an MPH before med school impact your application?

I've never seen it "hurt" an application but I suppose if one did poorly it could hurt. I've never seen it give a big boost to an application although I've heard stories told of people who got in after earning an MPH. Experiences acquired during or after the degree, using the knowledge, skills and ability acquired while earning the degree are where the real boost is.

 

[init2winit]

I think the experiences and opportunities you had while pursuing your MPH can add to your app. It's true just the degree probably doesn't mean as much. As with many parts of your app, it probably depends how you frame it. Would this also mean that the school where you received your MPH doesn't really matter? (top 3 vs top 15)