opinion
Dual-degree physicians will find they need more than the diploma
LETTER — Posted July 16, 2012
Regarding “Health system changes inspire students to pursue dual degrees” (Article, April 23): The article fails to make two important points.
First, although dual degrees (MD/MBA, MD/MPH, etc.) may give medical students a competitive edge in the marketplace, clinical competence and experience still count more than anything else — just ask any employer or physician executive recruiter.
Second, dual degree-oriented medical students need greater exposure to physicians working in industry, public health, and legal and other settings — physicians who could serve as counselors, mentors and role models. Relationships between medical students and nonacademic physician executives need to be cultivated and encouraged by academic physician leaders.
Arthur Lazarus, MD, Chadds Ford, Pa.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/07/16/edlt0716.htm.