Part-time MPH during radiology residency

[radiology_hopeful]

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I'm interseted in public health, and I'm strongly considering pursuing a part-time MPH during residency, to be completed over the course of approx. three years. My plan would be to apply for a spot beginning in R2, with a light course load taken until R4, when the remainder of the curriculum could be completed. Does that seem reasonable? The courses themselves are only a few weeks in duration and completed online, generally with only a few exams/quizzes/writing projects involved. I think it could be totally doable, but maybe that's naive. Thoughts?

 

[colbgw02]

I'm interseted in public health, and I'm strongly considering pursuing a part-time MPH during residency, to be completed over the course of approx. three years. My plan would be to apply for a spot beginning in R2, with a light course load taken until R4, when the remainder of the curriculum could be completed. Does that seem reasonable? The courses themselves are only a few weeks in duration and completed online, generally with only a few exams/quizzes/writing projects involved. I think it could be totally doable, but maybe that's naive. Thoughts?

I think most people would advise against this, and count me among them. It's not that it's not possible. Rather that it's not worth the potential risk that it would detract from your performance in residency. It's an easy case to make that every minute that you spend on your MPH would be better spent studying radiology.

The question to me is not if you can do this, but why would you want to? Unless you have a very specific interest that combines the two fields, then an MPH doesn't help you. It won't make you a better radiologist, it won't help you get a better fellowship, and it won't help you get a job. However, if you happen to perform poorly in residency because you're overworked, then it has a lot of potential to affect your long-term success. In short, the risk:reward ratio for this venture stinks.

 

[radiology_hopeful]

I think that's a compelling point, and I'm certainly not rushing into anything. If I did this at all, I would apply in perhaps two years, once I have a better feel for what my residency will be like, how effective I am at time management, etc. I appreciate the input.

 

[JoshSt]

The only potential benefit I see from doing this is to get a better gig in academics than the institution you're training at. Is that the case? If so, or if not -- why not just spend that extra time doing research at your program. Get projects accepted at RSNA/ARRS/AUR meetings and publish in their affiliated journals. If your ultimate goal is either academics or PP, I think radiology research would weigh more than an MPH. If you really really like public health, just tailor your radiology research as such.