OD/MPH vs Pediatric/VT Residency

[envisioning]

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I am currently an optometry student and trying to decide what exactly I want to do following completion of school. I have two scenarios that I have been contemplating. When I began this journey I had hoped to do both, but watching my student loans add up, I am starting to realize that time in school literally equals money lost. At the same time, I don't want to let the money scare me from pursuing my personal interests.

1) My initial interest in optometry was sparked by an OD who specialized in pediatrics/vision therapy...this was in a practice in Montecito, CA(very wealthy area) so he actually saw a good amount of patients(usually children) for vision therapy. I realize this isn't usually the case because of insurance constraints, ect. So knowing that this isn't usually the case, I am aware that just because I go through residency doesn't mean I will be applying the specialty as frequently as I would probably like.

2) I have been actively involved with public health programs, both optometry related and overall health and personally highly value preventative medicine practices. Since I was in undergrad and started getting involved with public health organizations I have been set on getting my MPH after getting my OD. But the problem with having an OD/MPH is that it seems to have no real application outside my own personal interest, although I believe that the knowledge gained from an MPH program would expand my scope of health and probably make me a better optometrist indirectly.

So my dilemma is that I am passionate about both of these specific areas but only want to choose one, I am not trying to stay in school forever. There are some obvious pros/cons. If I decide MPH, there is cost involved for tuition, but would be able to work PT and go through the program. If I decide residency, no cost but get ~30K for the year. Both are 1 year long. Would I be crazy to do both?

I don't see myself ending up in academia, however who knows what I will want in say 20 years from now so I wouldn't necessarily rule it out. I just feel like I want to try and give myself an edge in field while at the same time fulfilling my personal interests.

Anyone have opinions on which option would be more realistically beneficial? Or, am I wasting my time either way and would it make more sense to just start practicing rather than pursuing more school?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[xmattODx]

2) I have been actively involved with public health programs, both optometry related and overall health and personally highly value preventative medicine practices. Since I was in undergrad and started getting involved with public health organizations I have been set on getting my MPH after getting my OD. But the problem with having an OD/MPH is that it seems to have no real application outside my own personal interest, although I believe that the knowledge gained from an MPH program would expand my scope of health and probably make me a better optometrist indirectly.

So my dilemma is that I am passionate about both of these specific areas but only want to choose one, I am not trying to stay in school forever. There are some obvious pros/cons. If I decide MPH, there is cost involved for tuition, but would be able to work PT and go through the program. If I decide residency, no cost but get ~30K for the year. Both are 1 year long. Would I be crazy to do both?

I can only speak to number 2. There are ways to apply an MPH to optometry. They are few and far between, however. You'll have to weigh what you hope to accomplish very carefully. You shouldn't have to go into more debt to get your MPH (I worked full-time while enrolled in my two year program).

What do you think an MPH will add to your skill set? If you are already familiar with public health ideas and philosophies an MPH might not give you much. If you want to do public health work, however, it might be necessary.

Check out the vision care section of the American Public Health Association for ways to get involved in public health eye care with or without an MPH.

 

[KHE]

Deciding between an MPH and a VT residency.

You're trying to decide between two of the worst paying pathways possible. lol.

I would choose the VT pathway if it were me though.

 

[Jonbrout]

Deciding between an MPH and a VT residency.

You're trying to decide between two of the worst paying pathways possible. lol.

I would choose the VT pathway if it were me though.

Could you shed a little light on which specialty would be more lucrative to the average optometrist? Perhaps which one would be in the highest and lowest demand, and the reasons why? I've always been curious. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Shnurek]

I would choose the VT pathway if it were me though.

You are known as VT man here at SUNY lol of course ya would 😛

 

[KHE]

Huh?

 

[Shnurek]

An alumnus of SUNY referred to you as VT man. I guess it was a mistake nvm.

 

[Eyes99]

Could you shed a little light on which specialty would be more lucrative to the average optometrist? Perhaps which one would be in the highest and lowest demand, and the reasons why? I've always been curious. Thanks for the insight.

I'm not aware of anyone ever looking at the financial impact of residency training. Do it because you are interested, or because it will make you more marketable, not because you think you will make more money.

The problem with VT is its hard to get insurance payment. Private pay means you have to find a semi-wealthy population. Same for low vision. Medicare didn't pay for low vision devices last time I checked. CLs will help you with specialty fitting. I think there are very few ODs who make most of their living from treating disease.

Even the VA has started hiring non residency trained ODs.