Perception of MD/MBA

[balladevil]

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Hey guys,

As an MD/MBA who is interested in doing ophthalmology, I was wondering whether anyone had heard what the perceptions are of PD's/residency programs of applicants with this background. Thanks

 

[orbitsurgMD]

Hey guys,

As an MD/MBA who is interested in doing ophthalmology, I was wondering whether anyone had heard what the perceptions are of PD's/residency programs of applicants with this background. Thanks

The combination is not so common as to have created an impression either favorable or unfavorable. I suppose that since you earned the MBA contemporaneously with your MD, and not in a business career prior to medical school, some might find the effort encouraging. On the other hand, others might wonder whether your interests lay elsewhere and might think that your commitments were divided.

I think an applicant with that background might seem interesting. You should expect questions. Unless you are a little older than average, no one is going to expect you have any practical experience in management with your degree. I think many academic ophthalmologists with departmental responsibilities might think that kind of additional education practical and useful, not necessarily by having the degree, but the training in business modeling and analysis.

 

[thalia44]

My impression is that if you're interested, go ahead -- you'll certainly get asked about it, but if you have good reasons in terms of career interests/goals and can explain how it's relevant to ophthalmology, then it's not a problem.

Also I know of one student a few years ahead of me who got an MD/MBA and when applying was offered a position at Wilmer.

 

[Eyefixer]

Also I know of one student a few years ahead of me who got an MD/MBA and when applying was offered a position at Wilmer.

This student subsequently quit in the middle of his/her PGY2 year to pursue business aspirations. There will not be another MD/MBA resident at Wilmer for many years to come...

 

[balladevil]

i guess that takes me out of the running there 😛

 

[CastroViejo]

i was strongly considering doing the MD-MBA prog at my school. At the time, I was considering ENT more and talked to a lot of ENT attendings about that. The story I got is that most people will not hold it against you, but a few old-school people might assume you only care about money. Not a huge deal, but in that kinda competitive field, if just a few guys dont like you, it might hurt a bit. But either way, if you have a good reason for getting the MBA, especially one that satisfies the old school docs it should be fine.

Also, I know a current MD-MBA ophthalmology resident. He had initially applied to another competitive field and didn't match, and he believes the MBA hurt him. He then spent a year doing ophtho research and matched into ophtho, so perhaps this means ophtho is more open to this that other competitive fields? Best of luck