Essay Theme: Improve Health System?

[nychila]

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Hi everyone, long time SDN fan but first post. Any feedback would be very much appreciated!

On the personal statement essay, in addition to addressing why I want to become a doctor (theme 1), I would like to also describe my motivations to improve the health system (theme 2) through leadership & policy, which is crucially important to me personally.

I have unique experiences: founded a non-profit and a charity (both with policy initiatives) and worked directly with state health department director & senators to change state & national legislation on healthcare.

I believe that top-tier schools might really like my activities, but with my average #s, I'm more so looking at mid-upper & mid-lower tiers. Would admissions officers question my commitment to being a physician seeing that my ultimate goal is to improve the health system (which does not require a MD)?

 

[LizzyM]

Hi everyone, long time SDN fan but first post. Any feedback would be very much appreciated!

On the personal statement essay, in addition to addressing why I want to become a doctor (theme 1), I would like to also describe my motivations to improve the health system (theme 2) through leadership & policy, which is crucially important to me personally.

I have unique experiences: founded a non-profit and a charity (both with policy initiatives) and worked directly with state health department director & senators to change state & national legislation on healthcare.

I believe that top-tier schools might really like my activities, but with my average #s, I'm more so looking at mid-upper & mid-lower tiers. Would admissions officers question my commitment to being a physician seeing that my ultimate goal is to improve the health system (which does not require a MD)?

They might wonder why you don't just go run a health system, eventually earn a MBA or MPH with a concentration in health care management, and do your policy thing, particularly if you don't have "the numbers" to compete at the schools that pride themselves in preparing national leaders.

Focus your PS on why you want to take care of patients. If you can't write a convincing essay on that topic, maybe you should skip medical school.

 

[NickNaylor]

I will second Lizzy's comments and add that while it would be perfectly appropriate to mention your non-profit activities, using a significant portion of your personal statement, which is meant to give you a chance to explain your reasons for becoming a physician, to instead talk about why you want to influence health policy would be a bad idea. Plain MDs aren't health policy experts, and researching/developing policy isn't something you really do to any significant degree as a physician. Yes, some physicians do health policy full-time, but medical schools are interested in training you to be practitioners of medicine, not policy experts.

In other words, you risk giving off the vibe that you're less interested in becoming a physician and more interested in policy, which won't bode well for your chances.

 

[235788]

a physician improving health care.... As if they even have a say.

 

[lobo.solo]

Really? I feel an MD that does health policy is as valuable as one doing basic science research. With the upcoming changes in health care and the whole set up of health care, I think there is a need for physician leaders working on health policy. Also there are people who practice medicine and are engaged in health policy advocacy/research. You can do both, plenty of MDs do other kinds of research and they also practice medicine...
As far as the theme for your PS, maybe mention your interest in health policy as a component of your desire to "help people"

 

[deleted393595]

I believe that top-tier schools might really like my activities, but with my average #s, I'm more so looking at mid-upper & mid-lower tiers. Would admissions officers question my commitment to being a physician seeing that my ultimate goal is to improve the health system (which does not require a MD)?

Are you aiming for a MD/MPH?

 

[NickNaylor]

Really? I feel an MD that does health policy is as valuable as one doing basic science research. With the upcoming changes in health care and the whole set up of health care, I think there is a need for physician leaders working on health policy. Also there are people who practice medicine and are engaged in health policy advocacy/research. You can do both, plenty of MDs do other kinds of research and they also practice medicine...

Most physicians are not actively engaged in policy research. Those that are typically have earned a MPH or JD. The MD does absolutely nothing to qualify you as a health policy expert.

 

[OwlPower22]

Most physicians are not actively engaged in policy research. Those that are typically have earned a MPH or JD. The MD does absolutely nothing to qualify you as a health policy expert.

👍 The MPH can definitely help expand your horizons in terms of policy research. I agree with Lizzy that if you focus too much on your desire to go into policy and non-profits etc, why are you looking to be a doctor?

 

[lobo.solo]

Most physicians are not actively engaged in policy research. Those that are typically have earned a MPH or JD. The MD does absolutely nothing to qualify you as a health policy expert.

I agree, additional training will be required to become an health policy expert. Most likely a MPH or masters in health policy. Despite that, I would think a MD will contribute to ones' expertise in "health" policy

 

[NickNaylor]

I agree, additional training will be required to become an health policy expert. Most likely a MPH or masters in health policy. Despite that, I would think a MD will contribute to ones' expertise in "health" policy

Other than the fact that you're a player in the system it does very little. For example, just because I'm a driver doesn't mean I have the knowledge and ability to design a car. I might be able to offer some suggestions and my idea of an ideal car, but I must leave it to experts to see that vision carried out. Same deal here.

 

[lobo.solo]

Other than the fact that you're a player in the system it does very little. For example, just because I'm a driver doesn't mean I have the knowledge and ability to design a car. I might be able to offer some suggestions and my idea of an ideal car, but I must leave it to experts to see that vision carried out. Same deal here.

Good analogy. Would you say a MD/MPH is more qualified than a JD or MPH person, in terms of health policy?

 

[deleted393595]

Good analogy. Would you say a MD/MPH is more qualified than a JD or MPH person, in terms of health policy?

Seems that way. Take Paul Farmer for example. He's a Ph.D. Anthro + MD, but he's been able to combine both to do some very impressive work.

 

[Nymphicus]

Hi everyone, long time SDN fan but first post. Any feedback would be very much appreciated!

On the personal statement essay, in addition to addressing why I want to become a doctor (theme 1), I would like to also describe my motivations to improve the health system (theme 2) through leadership & policy, which is crucially important to me personally.

I have unique experiences: founded a non-profit and a charity (both with policy initiatives) and worked directly with state health department director & senators to change state & national legislation on healthcare.

I believe that top-tier schools might really like my activities, but with my average #s, I'm more so looking at mid-upper & mid-lower tiers. Would admissions officers question my commitment to being a physician seeing that my ultimate goal is to improve the health system (which does not require a MD)?

OP,

I did this, as this is what I am interested in also, and I feel I got very good results. However, I did keep the personal statement more focused on medicine, and used the "work and activities" section as well as secondaries to expand on the health systems theme.

My GPA was below average but MCAT was above average.

PM me if you are interested in specifics.

 

[nychila]

They might wonder why you don't just go run a health system

Thank you for everyone's feedback.

Personal stories have motivated me to not only help my patients, but I strongly believe in better care for all patients. I will do my best to convey that message in my PS. Any chance that as long as I convince admissions that I do want to become a doctor, my leadership & policy interests will only supplement my essay?

Are mid-upper & mid-lower tier schools interested in breeding leaders in the healthcare industry, research, or global humanitarianism?

I'm thinking about the possibility of a MBA, which I definitely won't mention in my PS, but I will on secondaries for schools with good MD/MBA programs.

 

[deleted393595]

Thank you for everyone's feedback.

Personal stories have motivated me to not only help my patients, but I strongly believe in better care for all patients. I will do my best to convey that message in my

I second what NickNaylor had to say about an MD being inadequate for doing so. The problem is that medicine - or at least the practice of it - is not set up in such a way that it can ensure the proper health of an entire population. It's highly individual focused and kicks in only after symptoms appear. On the other hand, public health is community centered and consists of things such as ensuring proper vaccination, food supplies and education for example. It's proactive rather than reactive. While these things seem mundane, their implementation is extremely hard to do especially in resource-poor environments.

And would you like to guess the biggest factor on people's health? Nope, it's not how well you do as a doctor or how well your medical system is set up. It's primarily the environment followed by lifestyle and genetics. For example, the major sources of death in the US aren't from infectious diseases such as AIDS and conditions such as cancer, but things such as car accidents and unsafe behaviors.

What I'm trying to say is that you're more oriented towards a MPH program than MD/DO.

 

[NickNaylor]

Good analogy. Would you say a MD/MPH is more qualified than a JD or MPH person, in terms of health policy?

I have no idea. If you aren't a practicing physician at some point I don't see how the MD would be helpful; the value of the degree would come from having experience on the "front lines" to really see the dysfunction of the healthcare system (and, consequently, see opportunities to improve it) That said, I'm not sure the grueling 7+ year process of medical school and residency is worth it just to gain some "practical experience" in healthcare if policy is your real interest and focus.

 

[deleted393595]

Good analogy. Would you say a MD/MPH is more qualified than a JD or MPH person, in terms of health policy?

I have no idea. If you aren't a practicing physician at some point I don't see how the MD would be helpful; the value of the degree would come from having experience on the "front lines" to really see the dysfunction of the healthcare system (and, consequently, see opportunities to improve it) That said, I'm not sure the grueling 7+ year process of medical school and residency is worth it just to gain some "practical experience" in healthcare if policy is your real interest and focus.

I'm not as experienced as the others, but I'd say that an MPH would be more useful than a JD for building up a better healthcare system. MPH focuses more on delivery of care and health infrastructure than I would imagine a JD would.

At the same time, being a MD/MPH would have very important applications overseas also and is a great tie in into the new field of global health, which is combining medicine, health policy and human rights issues together. You'd be able to intervene more in different situations thanks to your knowledge as a MD and be able to build healthcare delivery systems using your MPH knowledge.

 

[NickNaylor]

I'm not as experienced as the others, but I'd say that an MPH would be more useful than a JD for building up a better healthcare system. MPH focuses more on delivery of care and health infrastructure than I would imagine a JD would.

At the same time, being a MD/MPH would have very important applications overseas also and is a great tie in into the new field of global health, which is combining medicine, health policy and human rights issues together. You'd be able to intervene more in different situations thanks to your knowledge as a MD and be able to build healthcare delivery systems using your MPH knowledge.

Btw, if you get a chance, look up the Alma

The few physicians that I've talked to about MD/JD seem to give mixed reviews about it. Just as the MD doesn't focus on broader policy, neither does the JD. The MPH would be helpful if you're interested in actually developing policy whereas the JD would be helpful if you plan on being a legislator and/or writing policy.

 

[nychila]

I have no doubt in my mind that I still want to become a physician to care for my patients; I just also would like to influence the delivery of care. I will consider a MPH together with or after MD.

Are mid- & lower-tier schools interested in breeding leaders in the healthcare industry, heavy research, or global humanitarianism? Or would stressing that in my PS hurt me, even if I could convince admissions that I do have geuine intentions of being a doctor?

 

[NickNaylor]

I have no doubt in my mind that I still want to become a physician to care for my patients; I just also would like to influence the delivery of care. I will consider a MPH together with or after MD.

Are mid- & lower-tier schools interested in breeding leaders in the healthcare industry, heavy research, or global humanitarianism? Or would stressing that in my PS hurt me, even if I could convince admissions that I do have geuine intentions of being a doctor?

I doubt that expressing those interests would actually hurt you.

 

[soresu]

What about questions in the secondary that discuss where you want to be in 10, 15 years time? Would it be appropriate to discuss health policy interest in those prompts?

 

[alerk323]

I have a similar issue. I work for a non-profit company that works with improving delivery at the hospital level. I'm using it to demonstrate I have a strong knowledge of hospital delivery and services and ways to drastically increase their efficiency.

I'm being careful to put the emphasis on treatment and patient care as my ultimate goal though.