Epidemiology Vs HPM

[Drkp]

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Hi everyone,

I am a doctor from India and planning to further my education in the field of public health. Right now I am in USA on dependant visa. I scored 1250 (5oo Verbal & 750 Quant) in GRE. My GPA is 3.9.The two areas of specialization which interests me are epidemiology and health policy management. My understanding about HPM is, it comprises of healthcare management which I would like to persue.
But after doing research about the field, I realized career and job opportunities lie more in state/federal government services for which I am not eligible ( being non resident of USA).
I would appreciate if someone could guide me about what all things I should take into account while deciding my subjects in MPH.

Drkp

 

[duradoc]

Hello Drkp,

I'm facing a similar dilemma.
What I found however , is that the policy track of HPM leads to federal and state jobs (if any, in these days of reccesion). On the other hand, the management track leads to jobs mostly in hospitals and private healthcare firms.

One point which I hope someone helps me find out is whether the job opportunities are better after MPH in HPM concentration or after MHA?

 

[dr37]

hello guys..i am in the same situation as you..have been accepted to Boston University for MPH in HPM for spring 09
dnt knw wht to do..its way too expensive..36,000/year..

also i dnt knw the jbs are better after MPH in HPM or MHA??

please throw some light?? and where are you guys.. i am in pennsylvania..

 

[priyahou]

Hi,
I am new to this forum and also thinking of MPH but cant decide what field to choose.What kind of jobs one gets with community health.Can some somebody advise .Also does MHA get administrative jobs and how much do community health and MHA pay.I am a dentist.

 

[Ilovecoffee]

Hello Drkp,

I'm facing a similar dilemma.
What I found however , is that the policy track of HPM leads to federal and state jobs (if any, in these days of reccesion). On the other hand, the management track leads to jobs mostly in hospitals and private healthcare firms.

One point which I hope someone helps me find out is whether the job opportunities are better after MPH in HPM concentration or after MHA?

In my perspective - an MPH with the HPM track is studying public health with a business angle. which according to me is half way between an MPH and an MBA - best of both worls basically. If you go through curriculums, the MHA tends to be similar to the HPM in may schools. In my opinion, the only difference is that the HPM allows you to get into managerial roles. the MHA - gets restricted to service related admin roles in hospitals, healthcare systems.

Being an international, there is no way fed/state jobs will be worth the pay off. private healthcare firms will - options are consulting, pharma consulting, insurance - whatever basically. but private firms are the only way to make it worth the money. Even at that, its a long term pay off.

 

[swemory2007]

In my perspective - an MPH with the HPM track is studying public health with a business angle. which according to me is half way between an MPH and an MBA - best of both worls basically. If you go through curriculums, the MHA tends to be similar to the HPM in may schools. In my opinion, the only difference is that the HPM allows you to get into managerial roles. the MHA - gets restricted to service related admin roles in hospitals, healthcare systems.

Being an international, there is no way fed/state jobs will be worth the pay off. private healthcare firms will - options are consulting, pharma consulting, insurance - whatever basically. but private firms are the only way to make it worth the money. Even at that, its a long term pay off.

Nobody joins public health for the money. I suggest doing some research to figure out which you would enjoy more. Even if you're making money, if you are miserable doing what you're doing, what's the point?

 

[Ilovecoffee]

Nobody joins public health for the money. I suggest doing some research to figure out which you would enjoy more. Even if you're making money, if you are miserable doing what you're doing, what's the point?

I agree with you. But at the same time, I definately don't wanna go the not-for-profit route. 'greater good for the greatest number of people' is why public health, but i do not ncessarily wanna end up with non-profit jobs and be straddeled with loans for a long time. thats just my point!
In today's economy, you can't not be practical about this stuff...