MD-MBA programs have grown in popularity. Should they be?
During my time as a medical student, pursuing and completing a joint MD/MBA degree was considered pioneering. The blend of clinical and business education held the promise of preparing us to tackle the inefficiencies and inequities within the American healthcare system, not just from a medical standpoint but also from a business perspective.
Fast forward to today, and MD/MBA programs have significantly increased in popularity. Many top-tier medical schools now offer a structured pathway to obtaining both degrees. For instance, at Harvard Medical School, over a dozen students graduate annually with the dual qualification.
While this growth may signify progress, as someone who has traversed this journey and now leads a prominent healthcare organization, I believe it’s crucial to reconsider the timing of when clinicians undergo their business training. The current approach of integrating business school into the middle of medical school, though prevalent, is flawed.
The Right Training at the Right Time
There are two key reasons why the timing of MD/MBA programs warrants reassessment:
- Lack of Professional Experience: Business school education differs significantly from medical school. MBA classrooms thrive on drawing from students’ real-world work experiences for enriched discussions. Most medical students, due to their academic focus, have limited exposure to the professional world, making it challenging for them to fully engage in MBA discussions.
- Limited Opportunity for Immediate Application: Business education is most effective when applied promptly. However, MD/MBA graduates often re-enter a structured residency program post-business school, leaving little room to implement new skills in a clinical setting. This delay can diminish the practical relevance of the acquired business knowledge.
Additionally, there is an unseen downside: MD/MBA students interrupt their clinical training midway to pursue their MBA, potentially impacting their confidence and competence upon return.
An Alternative: Residency-MBA Programs
So, what’s a more suitable model? During my residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, I collaborated with Dr. Joel Katz, my program director, to develop a novel training pathway: the residency-MBA program. This initiative, in partnership with Harvard Business School, integrated MBA coursework into the final two years of clinical training.
Residents were able to simultaneously pursue business education and medical progression without having to choose between the two. Although it extended training duration by a year, residents maintained clinical continuity while enhancing their management and leadership skills. This approach ensured they were prepared to assume leadership roles immediately post-training, equipped with relevant clinical knowledge and business acumen.
The success of this program should serve as a guideline for medical schools and teaching hospitals nationwide. It allows business education to catalyze strategic thinking, innovation, and leadership precisely when it’s most required.
Who Should Still Consider the MD/MBA?
There are exceptions. A select group of students with substantial pre-med business experience, such as entrepreneurs, consultants, or analysts, may benefit from the MD/MBA sequence. For them, business school formalizes skills they have already cultivated. Financial factors, like scholarship opportunities, may also influence their decision.
However, for most aspiring physician-leaders, the integrated residency-MBA model is the superior choice. It facilitates deeper learning, optimal timing, and immediate relevance without disrupting clinical education continuity.
As we contemplate the training of future medical leaders, it’s time to move beyond the existing options and consider what’s truly optimal. Medical educators, program directors, and students should rethink not just what we learn, but when we learn it.
Only then can we nurture the caliber of leaders that the healthcare sector direly needs.
