Is the MD/MPH degree worthwhile if done purely for residency match competitiveness?

[KAI1927]

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I am trying to decide if I want the combined degree, and I am looking for opinions and insights on this topic, thanks.

 

[FenderHM]

I doubt it. The combined program takes a lot of extra time and money. If you have no interest in public health, why not just spend the time you would have been in MPH classes studying for the boards and rock a better score? That will make you competitive and it will be cheaper...

 

[NunoBR]

I am trying to decide if I want the combined degree, and I am looking for opinions and insights on this topic, thanks.

You took my avatar. 😎
Although mine is cooler. 😀 😉

 

[Depakote]

You took my avatar. 😎
Although mine is cooler. 😀 😉

Somebody has to say it...

Cat Fight!

 

[diosa428]

I am trying to decide if I want the combined degree, and I am looking for opinions and insights on this topic, thanks.

It will probably increase your residency competitiveness, but only in certain specialties. An MPH would be worthwhile in something like IM, but probably worthless if you wanted to go into something like neurosurgery. There will be plenty of opportunites to do research in medical school (even take a year off and get PAID to do research, rather than paying for a degree you don't want), so I would say that if it's not something that really interests you, find something that does and pursue that. I don't necessarily think holding another degree, such as an MPH, would make you a more competitive applicant than doing a significant research project in another area and getting published.

 

[TheMightyAngus]

It will probably increase your residency competitiveness, but only in certain specialties. An MPH would be worthwhile in something like IM, but probably worthless if you wanted to go into something like neurosurgery. There will be plenty of opportunites to do research in medical school (even take a year off and get PAID to do research, rather than paying for a degree you don't want), so I would say that if it's not something that really interests you, find something that does and pursue that. I don't necessarily think holding another degree, such as an MPH, would make you a more competitive applicant than doing a significant research project in another area and getting published.

Completely false and uninformed. An MPH in biostats is very useful if you want to pursue ANY sort of clinical research. The earlier you train in research methods, the better off you are if you want to go into academics. Many fellows in neurosurgery, plastics, rad onc, ortho, ophth and IM get MPH's during their research year. Some even do it during residency. Every specialty needs physicians to run RCT's, analyze data, etc.

An MPH would also be better than spending a year out doing clinical research because the degree is a tangible qualification. The only thing an MPH woud not be useful for would be if you wanted to be a basic scientist or go into private practice and work for yourself.

 

[thatslife]

Completely false and uninformed. An MPH in biostats is very useful if you want to pursue ANY sort of clinical research. The earlier you train in research methods, the better off you are if you want to go into academics. Many fellows in neurosurgery, plastics, rad onc, ortho, ophth and IM get MPH's during their research year. Some even do it during residency. Every specialty needs physicians to run RCT's, analyze data, etc.

An MPH would also be better than spending a year out doing clinical research because the degree is a tangible qualification. The only thing an MPH woud not be useful for would be if you wanted to be a basic scientist or go into private practice and work for yourself.

While at my UPenn interview I had the chance to talk with the dean of admissions. At Penn (or atleast this dean) emphasize dual degrees. This ensures that UPenn grads are at the front of medicine, but is also helps with the competitiveness of their grads when it comes to the match. The way she explained by me, that anything to differentiate yourself from the rest of the crowd is always a plus.

Also, as far as the cost goes, at certain schools, there is a tuition free 5th year or a research year (i.e. Duke) where you can do an MD/MPH in 4 years.

 

[diosa428]

An MPH would also be better than spending a year out doing clinical research because the degree is a tangible qualification. The only thing an MPH woud not be useful for would be if you wanted to be a basic scientist or go into private practice and work for yourself.

Completely false and uninformed. There are plenty of areas in basic science research where biostatistics would be useful and even necessary.

In all seriousness, I wasn't thinking of biostatistics when I replied to that post, but thanks for pointing that out. I am interested in public health myself and it's good to know that it can be useful in any specialty. However, to the OP: again, if you're really not interested in public health, I still maintain that doing other research could be just as beneficial to a residency application, particularly if you can get a prestigious fellowship such as a Howard Hughes, etc, IF that's more appealing to you (although getting a prestigious fellowship would probably be more difficult than getting into an MPH program, depending upon the program). I guess it depends upon how you feel about basic science research.

 

[PhillyGuy]

I don't think a MPH is going to make you that much more attractive for competive fields like derm, ophtho, etc. You do get some training in biostatistics, but the main focus of MPH is on public health. If you are interested in populational research, then you should get a masters degree in clinical epi or biostatistics. Derm and ophtho are very much basic science oriented, especially at top places. They want actual research experience in that particular field. A MD/PhD will definitely give you an advantage, but not a MPH. Competitive surgical fields, like ortho or plastics, could careless if you have a MPH.

 

[DrMom]

I wouldn't recommend doing any extra/combined degree unless you're actually interested in the degree itself.

 

[notdeadyet]

I wouldn't recommend doing any extra/combined degree unless you're actually interested in the degree itself.

This seems to be the one truism in the whole medical ladder, no?

Analyze your intentions for doing ____________. If it's solely for the sake of padding your resume, it's probably not worth doing.

 

[IHaveLab]

This seems to be the one truism in the whole medical ladder, no?

Analyze your intentions for doing ____________. If it's solely for the sake of padding your resume, it's probably not worth doing.

This is some of the best advice I've seen on SDN. Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[KAI1927]

You took my avatar. 😎
Although mine is cooler. 😀 😉

You're totally right on both accounts. I googled thundercats and I got the one I have, yours is more detailed, where did you get it? I thought I was unique, but I recently saw yours and was crestfallen. I'll have to think of another feline-based 80's cartoon

 

[kyatter]

My advice would have been to take a public health course as an undergraduate if they offer it at your school. I was fortunate to have one at my school, and I was in your position. That said, I can honestly say that I no longer have any interest in public health after taking that class. I've never slept so much during class since my extinction of species class.