Doing an MD/MPH

[bate16]

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Hey guys, I was recently accepted into an MD/MPH program and was really wondering whether or not it is something worth pursuing. I understand what an MPH involves and what purpose it serves in the future. I was wanting to get more of a school perspective (ex. additional workload, still being able to do research, etc) and its effect, if any, on residency.

I am sure that there are old threads on this topic, but wanted to start one directly linked to me. Thanks!

 

[Mansamusa]

Depends on the school and whether or not the program is 4 or 5 yrs.

It might be a positive if you want to do IM, FM, OB, Psych, and maybe EM. But not necessary

Research can still be done (like UMiami's MD/MPH program had a neurosurg match), but you will have to be on your game nonstop. You will need careful planning, be good at balancing everything, and be very focused. If by research you only mean public health research, then yeah, you'll have time to do that.

I can't speak for the workload since I only interviewed and chose not to join a MD/MPH program. I imagine it would be manageable, but more work than a MD program.

 

[takeurmeds02]

Yea, it really depends on how the school has set up their curriculum. It's going to be more work regardless because you're getting two degrees concurrently.

At U.Miami, you're required to do research/field experience within the capstone requirement. Seriously doubt you'd be able to do actual bench research if that's what you're referring to.

Like @Mansamusa alluded, it wouldn't hurt you any but depending on what you're looking to get into, it might not be extremely beneficial either. And this is also assuming that you keep your grades up and get a respectable Step score.

 

[Cookiess]

It depends on how the curriculum of the MD/MPH program is set up at your school. If the MPH component is integrated into the MD curriculum and you graduate with both degrees in 4 years, then you may not have as much time to do research (ex. Tufts and USC Keck come to mind). If your school has you complete the MPH component where you take one year off during med school to do so and you graduate with the MD/MPH in 5 years, then you should have plenty of flexibility to do research since the MPH component is not as integrated with the MD curriculum.

 

[bate16]

The program has a 4 and 5 year option. A few credits double dip in both MD and MPH. I believe I only have to take like 23 credits in which 10 of them I would do in MS0 summer. My biggest concern was like not having time to do research, cause that is something I want to be a part of. Not like get a PhD, but definitely some valuable experience. Appreciate all the input!

 

[Cookiess]

The 5-year option might work better in fitting in more time for research, but it might cost more to stay the extra year. I would talk to current students in both tracks and see how much free time there would be for research in the 4-year track.

 

[Mansamusa]

The program has a 4 and 5 year option. A few credits double dip in both MD and MPH. I believe I only have to take like 23 credits in which 10 of them I would do in MS0 summer. My biggest concern was like not having time to do research, cause that is something I want to be a part of. Not like get a PhD, but definitely some valuable experience. Appreciate all the input!

If you want to get bench research, then why do you want the MPH? That's the most important question: Why MPH?

 

[bate16]

If you want to get bench research, then why do you want the MPH? That's the most important question: Why MPH?

Correct me if I am wrong, but I feel that the two are not mutually exclusive. Maybe more time consuming, but still possible. The idea of public policy and influencing healthcare at a broader scale is what interests me. Additionally, when I was reading into MPH earlier, I saw that it was also prevalent in academia, which is an area that I would like to get into.

 

[Mansamusa]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I feel that the two are not mutually exclusive. Maybe more time consuming, but still possible. The idea of public policy and influencing healthcare at a broader scale is what interests me. Additionally, when I was reading into MPH earlier, I saw that it was also prevalent in academia, which is an area that I would like to get into.

I this is where you're confusing us.

What kind of research? Policy research of course you can do during an MPH, that is a large part of it and then you can go into academia with that. If you are talking bench research, then it would be hard to balance both (a capstone project is another way of saying research if that is what your school program requires)

 

[bate16]

I this is where you're confusing us.

What kind of research? Policy research of course you can do during an MPH, that is a large part of it and then you can go into academia with that. If you are talking bench research, then it would be hard to balance both (a capstone project is another way of saying research if that is what your school program requires)

Yeah, I see what you mean. I am interested in public policy/academia but at the same time I want to do science based reasearch. I think this is really just a case of me wanting to do many things. Definitely going to see if I can get in contact with people already in the program and see what they have to say. Thanks, appreciate all the help!

 

[LizzyM]

Don't forget health services outcomes research including research on health disparities, comparative effectiveness, and epidemiology (risk factors & protective factors for outcome X). Research with electronic medical records is going to be huge and MDs with data analysis and study design skills are going to be positioned to make the most of it.