Joint-degree programs (MD/MBA or MD/JD)

[IndyZX]

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Hey guys, this is my first post on the SDN boards.

I was curious about the job opportunites that MD/MBA and MD/JD graduates have. In what capacity does one really use that degree? I ask this here, because I have done some research on individual medical school websites and they have been extremely generic describing job descriptions.

I think it would be cool to combine the knowledge of law or business into medicine, but I am trying to figure out exactly what my day-to-day would be like.

Thanks for your help.

 

[LoneCoyote]

Originally posted by indyzx
Hey guys, this is my first post on the SDN boards.

I was curious about the job opportunites that MD/MBA and MD/JD graduates have. In what capacity does one really use that degree? I ask this here, because I have done some research on individual medical school websites and they have been extremely generic describing job descriptions.

I think it would be cool to combine the knowledge of law or business into medicine, but I am trying to figure out exactly what my day-to-day would be like.

Thanks for your help.

I worked as a legal assistant at a large, corporate law firm for awhile and they were happy to hire people with JD/MD and JD/PhD to work on patent cases, specifically those dealing with biotechnology and drug companies. If you did something like this your day-to-day would be long hours, lots of money if at a top firm, and work that dealt much more with law than medicine. You probably be using the medical knowledge more as background to help you to analyze the cases and technology/drugs, etc. involved. Firms also hire MD/PhD's to work on malpractice cases. My firm did not do that but I would assume it would be more legal based than medical based.

 

[IndyZX]

Hmm, that's very interesting. In that line of work, I wonder if you would pursue a residency. Or maybe you just do an internship, get licensed, and then start with the legal work?

 

[LoneCoyote]

That's a good question. I was on a case with a JD/PhD in Biochem I believe who had not done a post-doc but just gone straight into law. I know there was one JD/MD at the firm who had practiced for awhile before switching to law. So I assume he had done a residency or some sort. I don't know what you coming straight out with both degrees.