MPH or Not

[mochief2000]

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I was wondering if having a Masters in Public Health(MPH) is beneficial in surgery. Esp. administration. I know it may help with better residency and all. feedback would be helpful

 

[Flatus?]

MPH w/ an admin focus may be of utility after you've finished your training but you would waste 1-2 years of your life if you thought you would use any of that training durring you residency or that it would make you a better applicant for a top program by obtaining an MPH before you apply.

 

[shahkg]

...but you would waste 1-2 years of your life if you thought you would use any of that training...

It's never a waste to get more education. You can always use it later on in life, either for admin or simply a marketing tool. If you can, get it. I received a combined MD/MPH and although it wont help during a surg residency, I know it will when I am on my own.

 

[Celiac Plexus]

I have to agree with shahkg. Get an MPH if you are interested in public health, and you have the resources to do it. Education is not a "waste". An MPH may not help you with technical skills acquisition, but the extra education may help you become a more critical thinker. You will learn to use statistics, and gain skill at evaluating research/papers, and that is a very important skill for anyone. There are surgeons with MBAa, PhDs, etc... One of my attendings has an inordinate amount of training... he completed 3 fellowships... and he once told me that he regrets not training for an additional year before becoming an attending. He said that in retrospect a year is a small temporal price to pay for expanding one's educational horizons.

We are in a field that requires us to pay huge sums for our education, and so it's understandable to think of education as a means to increase our earning potential/opportunities. That's appropriate to a degree. However, if you want the MPH training, and have the resources, then do it. It WILL make you think differently, and perhaps make you a better physician/thinker.

 

[iliketocut]

I love people who believe that any additional education is a "waste of time" They are the same people who will complain in 15 years that medicine has changed, they aren't making any money and they would never go to med school if they had it to do all over again. I also got a combined MD/MPH, spent no extra time in school (so not sure where the "extra 1-2 years" comes from), spent no extra money (my school covered the MPH tuition). My combined degree was a major topic of conversation during my interviews. Out of 18 places I applied to, got 17 interviews and matched at #1. I think it was worth it!