BuT tHe MiLlIoN dOlLaR sAlArY!!!! I'm not saying the money isnt a factor, but I think having anesthesiologists in key leadership positions can help further our goals and strengthen the department as a whole.
In reality most physician administrator positions don't pay that much extra unless you're at a truly high level (CEO, CMO, etc). And that job is going to be tough. Much as people bash them, being a high level hospital exec has got to be really high pressure. It's only worth it if you're into that kind of thing - I wouldn't do it for the money.
Being a rank and file anesthesiologist honestly isn't a bad deal. Sure it should be paid better. But the surgeons and proceduralists bring the patients to you, someone supplies the equipment and drugs and other OR stuff for you, and someone else helps with billing. Basically you show up, do your thing, do minimal paperwork, then go home and get paid rather OK? Not too much hassle, not a bad deal. It can be nice not to worry about too much business stuff unless you're actually into that.
The only way to ensure physician futures is to have physicians on hospital boards. MBA and/or nepotism are the only ways in. Most of us don't have nepotism or college frat connections to rely upon, thus making MBA the only way in. I would strongly consider it in year 4-5 of attending life.
Huh? Plenty of physician administrators are there because they are effective managers and well respected by peers. Some of it might be nepotism or shady dealing, but not all. The MBA can help, but I just wouldn't view it as a way in or a requirement. Sure, something to think about after a few years if administration and management interests someone (and again if your employer pays for it). I just think people are still in a hoop-jumping mentality when we should think past that - being a doctor is already the end game. Some of these high level hospital admins have a BA then an MPH or an MMM - not even an MBA. And they aren't clinicians in any sense... yet they're in "upper management".
You're a board certified doctor already!!! Acknowledge our training for what it is - high level, extensive, unmatched. You can figure out the business of medicine if you put your mind to it. Think about the long game and what interests you. Maybe learning about business via an MBA is part of your end game (and you can learn a lot in a good MBA program), but it's not a required means to an end.
Consider the list of USNWR top three hospital CEOs:
Mayo - Gianrico Farrugia, MD - GI doc, no MBA
Cleveland Clinic - Tomislav Mihaljevic, MD - CT surgeon, no MBA
Johns Hopkins - Paul B. Rothman, MD - Rheumatologist, no MBA
Want to be the CEO of a top three hospital? The evidence shows that being a doctor enough for the end-game. No MBA required.
For OP - have you been to the ASA Practice Management conference? I highly recommend it. The speakers are
very sophisticated and you can get a real feel for the business of medicine and "value" propositions. Noting of course that covid is messing up all the conferences - especially this one since it's in Las Vegas. Cross your fingers...
