interested in getting MBA or MPH after MD

[Imsofly]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey everybody, I just have a few general questions.

I've been always passionate about getting my M.D. and being a doctor but I am also passionate about business as well. To keep it short, what do people with MD/MBA or MD/MPH do? Do they own hospitals or something? what are they supposed to be doing? any information would be of great help guys!


Thank you for your time!

 

[Frazier]

Hey everybody, I just have a few general questions.

I've been always passionate about getting my M.D. and being a doctor but I am also passionate about business as well. To keep it short, what do people with MD/MBA or MD/MPH do? Do they own hospitals or something? what are they supposed to be doing? any information would be of great help guys!

lol, no, not exactly.

You will be well-served by going to sdn's MD/MBA and MPH forum and reading their respective stickies.

 

[Barcu]

Yeah, you can find better info at other parts of this site.

Basically, you may get more involved in hospital administration or policy. In some cases, this could mean less time seeing patients.

 

[Imsofly]

alright thanks guys!

 

[LizzyM]

Those that I know have done the MBA after practicing medicine for some time. They tend to be involved in management decisions for their group practices (in some cases this can be a multi-specialty group practice with hundreds of employees and physicians).

Doing the MBA (or a MPH in management) after medical school and residency will give you the ability to speak both languages and see both perspectives. You are then able to mediate conflicts between the care providers and the bean counters. 😀

 

[darkjedi]

Those that I know have done the MBA after practicing medicine for some time. They tend to be involved in management decisions for their group practices (in some cases this can be a multi-specialty group practice with hundreds of employees and physicians).

Doing the MBA (or a MPH in management) after medical school and residency will give you the ability to speak both languages and see both perspectives. You are then able to mediate conflicts between the care providers and the bean counters. 😀

I am curious as to what makes you say to do an MBA specifically after medical school/residency.

I'm looking to do the combined MD/MBA program at my school, which would save a year of school/tuition. Is there a significant benefit to doing an MBA only after having practiced for a while?

 

[LizzyM]

I am curious as to what makes you say to do an MBA specifically after medical school/residency.

I'm looking to do the combined MD/MBA program at my school, which would save a year of school/tuition. Is there a significant benefit to doing an MBA only after having practiced for a while?

In my opinion, the second degree is more valuable when you have more to bring to the table in terms of experience. The more you can see connections between the real world and what you are learning in the classroom, the more relevant it is and the more useful it becomes. IMHO, MBAs in particular are about making connections, both in your brain and in your practice network. Too many years between when you make those connections and when you begin using them as a manager is not good. That's my opinion, I'm sure that there are reasonable people who would disagree.

I did date a guy who did an MBA-type program before medical school. He actually took some time off & did some "practice management" while enrolled in med school and later managed a group practice and a solo practice. N = 1. Those who did the MBA after practicing awhile went higher and further in their business careers.

 

[Frazier]

I am curious as to what makes you say to do an MBA specifically after medical school/residency.

I'm looking to do the combined MD/MBA program at my school, which would save a year of school/tuition. Is there a significant benefit to doing an MBA only after having practiced for a while?

IIRC, you are at Penn?

...of course, you should get an mba from wharton. Whenever the opportunity arises!

 

[darkjedi]

In my opinion, the second degree is more valuable when you have more to bring to the table in terms of experience. The more you can see connections between the real world and what you are learning in the classroom, the more relevant it is and the more useful it becomes. IMHO, MBAs in particular are about making connections, both in your brain and in your practice network. Too many years between when you make those connections and when you begin using them as a manager is not good. That's my opinion, I'm sure that there are reasonable people who would disagree.

I did date a guy who did an MBA-type program before medical school. He actually took some time off & did some "practice management" while enrolled in med school and later managed a group practice and a solo practice. N = 1. Those who did the MBA after practicing awhile went higher and further in their business careers.

Would it be any different if I were a non-traditional student with prior real-world experience in the business industry?

I have definitely been told that the #1 reason getting an MBA is useful is for all the connections you meet in business school. You bring up a good point in terms of not being able to utilize connections until it is potentially too far down the road.

Thanks for your input!

IIRC, you are at Penn?

...of course, you should get an mba from wharton. Whenever the opportunity arises!

Haha, would be nice if it came together well.