MPH in PM&R

[MSKalltheway]

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Hey guys, I've been interested in obtaining an MPH at some point. Do you feel there are a lot of public health issues to be addressed from the eyes of a PM&R physician? If so, is there time to complete the degree during residency, or would it be better to pursue it afterwards?

 

[drusso]

I have an MPH. It's mostly useful for biostatistics and epidemiology. The field is ripe for someone who really want to get a handle on the epidemiology of disability. It's useful if you want to do occupational medicine too. My MPH is in general public health, but a concentration in chronic disease epidemiology or occupational and environmental health would be a better fit.

 

[mehul_25]

I have an MPH as well. My concentration was in Health promotion/Disease Prevention. I believe this is potentially useful in PM&R for the reason that drrusso mentioned. Having an MPH is also helpful if you have research interests. As medicine continues to evolve having a background in public health or business can assist in navigating and understanding the changes.

other concentrations of interest in PM&R are:
Epidemiology
Occupational Health
Healthcare administration

 

[MSKalltheway]

That's great insight, I really appreciate it. Money is a bit tight, so unfortunately I don't think a combined MD/MPH is right for me at the moment...either I'll have to pay for it myself when I'm makin' some dough, or get some educational support from an institution I'll work at. Are residency hours too grueling and unpredictable to complete the degree during that time? Is it wiser to wait until afterward?

 

[PouchOfDouglas]

If money is your concern you should consider doing Preventative Medicine Residency after your PM&R residency. It would be an additional two years. The first year would be spent obtaining your MPH (paid by the residency program) and the second year would be spent doing rotations at local, state, non-profit and national health organizations.

 

[axm397]

A co-resident of mine was going to do a prev med residency but decided to take a job at an academic institution with a top rated public health school and worked it into her contract to have them pay for the mph.

 

[SportsMed09]

Could someone tell me how the acquisition of a MBA vs. MPH would affect where you could apply them? Is the MBA more useful for private practice, while the MPH for inpatient/working in a hospital?

 

[normalforce]

Could someone tell me how the acquisition of a MBA vs. MPH would affect where you could apply them? Is the MBA more useful for private practice, while the MPH for inpatient/working in a hospital?

I obtained my MBA in Healthcare Leadership while in med school. While I have not done the MPH, I am familiar and will give my 2 cents.

My MBA gave me a solid understanding of economics, the business of medicine, and leadership/teamwork building. I would say that the MPH probably gives you a little more administrative edge and of course epidemiology/biostats edge. For any private practice job (ie. med director, inpatient, outpatient) the MBA is prob more useful. If you want to stay in academics and do epidemiology, research, etc... the MPH is more useful.

I am going into PP, so the MBA fit well. I think if you have any idea that you will be in PP or a hospital leadership position CEO, etc... Do the MBA. The MBA excites people! 😀

Good luck, PM with q's.

NF

 

[TRAMD]

I was toying with the idea of completing my MPH during my PM&R residency and then attending the final year of occupational medicine residency to be double-boarded in 5 years. Does anyone have an idea about the feasibility of this?