I just got accepted to a school that offers a 4 year MD/MPH. Is getting this degree vs. "just" an M.D. w/research(not part of an MPH/PhD program) really that helpful when applying for residency? Could it be helpful later trying to get attending/administration positions? Obviously any extra degree may provide some help, I guess my question is more is it worth it? Thanks ahead of time.
Usefulness of an MD/MPH
- Thread starter kakalak
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That's a question I still ask myself, since I've considered getting an MPH myself. I think moneywise it won't really benefit you, necessarily (I'm assuming they are charging you some tuition for the MPH?).
If you want a career in public health, such as working for the CDC, then yes I think it would be useful.
If you just want it as a feather in your cap, it might help for getting certain residencies like peds or IM, but if you do all right in medical school you probably wouldn't need any extra stuff like an MPH to get into a higher tier medicine or peds residency. I don't see an MPH being very useful for someone like a dermatologist, radiologist or most surgeons.
For just residency matching, having done research with some famous attending, or just one who is well connected (i.e. knows folks @other residency programs and can help get you in) would help more than just having an MPH.
I would get the MPH only if you are really interested in public health and think it will be a big part of your career.
I'm also wondering how they cram an MPH and medical school all into 4 years...I think you'd have little or no elective time during 4th year, which could potentially suck, because that's when you get to do all the cool, fun clinical rotations that you picked out yourself (electives!!!). Just asking/thinking...
If you want a career in public health, such as working for the CDC, then yes I think it would be useful.
If you just want it as a feather in your cap, it might help for getting certain residencies like peds or IM, but if you do all right in medical school you probably wouldn't need any extra stuff like an MPH to get into a higher tier medicine or peds residency. I don't see an MPH being very useful for someone like a dermatologist, radiologist or most surgeons.
For just residency matching, having done research with some famous attending, or just one who is well connected (i.e. knows folks @other residency programs and can help get you in) would help more than just having an MPH.
I would get the MPH only if you are really interested in public health and think it will be a big part of your career.
I'm also wondering how they cram an MPH and medical school all into 4 years...I think you'd have little or no elective time during 4th year, which could potentially suck, because that's when you get to do all the cool, fun clinical rotations that you picked out yourself (electives!!!). Just asking/thinking...
Yea I never considered the fact that it may require missing some of 4th year electives, and like you said, for the residencies it could be useful in, you don't necessarily need a bulky list of credentials to match well.
Any chance this can get moved back to the medical students forum? Although it is asking about an MPH degree, the question deals more with applying for residency and not so much the MPH itself.
Any chance this can get moved back to the medical students forum? Although it is asking about an MPH degree, the question deals more with applying for residency and not so much the MPH itself.
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I basically agree with the previous response. It's worth it to pursue the MPH if you're really interested in the subject matter for your career as a physician, but otherwise, it's not really necessary for general medical career advancement.
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It really depends on where you see yourself going. An MPH can be obtained part-time or also through an intense full-time one-year program.
Some work settings may even pay for part of your education. There are many aspects to consider and some excellent programs that can fit your schedule.
- Do you have very strong interests in public health/population health?
- Do you see yourself ever transitioning into some type of non-clinical role?
- Are you willing to go back to school? (few exams, mostly papers)
Some work settings may even pay for part of your education. There are many aspects to consider and some excellent programs that can fit your schedule.
