MPH after matriculation?

[autumnleaves]

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Hi, I am in the middle of my application process right now and I am interested in the MPH programs. However, I am not 100% sure as to whether or not i should apply yet. Is it possible to get into those programs as a medical student? thanks!

 

[DrJ2B]

hey autumn!

Many medical students actually apply to MPH programs and basically add on a year or so to their medical school years. Many schools have combined MD/MPH programs that you can apply to later on as a matriculated student. Also, you can finish your MD degree, do your MPH, and then complete your residency afterwards. Many doctors who have completed their residencies go back to school for an MPH. You have plenty of time to decide. I wish you the best of luck with the medical school application process.


---DrJ2B

 

[kito]

Originally posted by autumnleaves
Hi, I am in the middle of my application process right now and I am interested in the MPH programs.

Really? Why?

 

[DrWuStar]

there is really no need to apply to MD/MPH programs right off the bat. if you are a med student or doctor, an MPH takes only 1 year. it is common to do an MPH program between MS2 and MS3, between MS4 and PGY1, or later in the MD career. i have never heard of of a med school not allowing a leave to complete an MPH.

public health is a great field, with or without an MD. i think its really cool to get into the landscape view of disease... what is causing a disease, how we figure that out, etc. in many ways it is more scientific and intellectual than being a practicing physician. i want the MD cause i want to work with people one on one and help individuals, but as far as research goes, i'm way more into public health/epidemiology than basic sciences/biochem/immunology. although, now that i said that, i feel bad, cause those fields are really great too.

MD/MPH is an easy combo to get and gives you great extra career opportunities as a doc.

 

[PublicHealth]

Originally posted by DrWuStar
there is really no need to apply to MD/MPH programs right off the bat. if you are a med student or doctor, an MPH takes only 1 year. it is common to do an MPH program between MS2 and MS3, between MS4 and PGY1, or later in the MD career. i have never heard of of a med school not allowing a leave to complete an MPH.

public health is a great field, with or without an MD. i think its really cool to get into the landscape view of disease... what is causing a disease, how we figure that out, etc. in many ways it is more scientific and intellectual than being a practicing physician. i want the MD cause i want to work with people one on one and help individuals, but as far as research goes, i'm way more into public health/epidemiology than basic sciences/biochem/immunology. although, now that i said that, i feel bad, cause those fields are really great too.

MD/MPH is an easy combo to get and gives you great extra career opportunities as a doc.

What types of opportunities? I ask because I am currently finishing up an MPH and applying to medical school.

Thank you!

 

[DrWuStar]

Originally posted by PublicHealth
What types of opportunities? I ask because I am currently finishing up an MPH and applying to medical school.

Thank you!

well, from what i understand, someone with an MD/MPH would be able to do both the standard MD types of work - patient care, clinical research, med school faculty - but would also be able to do more big-picture work as well - things like design population studies, teach undergrad, work with non-profits, etc.

a person with both degrees is in a unique position in both fields, and has more opportunities to change directions if they get burnt out. you could be a practicing doc, but work with non-profits on the side. if you got bored or burnt out with clinical work, you could take a couple years and do more public health oriented work. and i would think that as an MD, you would get paid quite well for doing the same types of work that someone with just an MPH would. (i'm really just guessing about the $$ thing, but it seems logical) just adds a little diversity to the career.

personally, i am a writer who wants to be a doctor. i want to continue writing throughout my career, and i think that the MPH will add a lot to my ability to write about health and medicine. i also get bored easily if i am doing the same thing all the time. so for me, the combination of these two degrees seems perfect.

 

[calebho501]

Most schools don't require you to apply for MD/MPH at the admission stage, so you can decide on that later.

The MPH is particularly useful if you're interested in clinical research (Population based), health education, health policy, administration, etc. Some schools allow you to choose an area of focus, including health services, epidemiology, community health, international health, etc.

And I felt the same way with a previous poster: If you can be involved in both clinical care and public health, you have more options to choose from, and less chance to get burned out.

 

[Winston Smith]

DrWuStar,

Have you obtained an MPH degree already? Could you elaborate a bit more about designing population studies and working with non-profit organizations? I mean, what would work in those fields entail? I am planning on getting an MPH before medical school right now and am looking for more information. I am also a writer, and I feel having an MPH will give me an outlet to write various articles on promoting health (not sure exactly what but my view so far is by researching a health related topic and then writing editorials or other types of articles regarding it). Also, is there really a bigger opportunity to teach undergrad when you have an MPH? thanks for your help