Formal public health education and career outcomes of medical school graduates

Doctors Who Attend Policy School: Who Are They and Where Do They Work?

Many physicians are pursuing additional advanced degrees, though no study has evaluated the characteristics and career choices of physicians who have pursued graduate policy degrees. We therefore searched employment and alumni data from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in addition to publicly available information to identify physicians who graduated with a policy degree from 1964 to 2002. We identified 258 physicians with policy degrees and found that they are increasing in number, though females are underrepresented when compared to the female physician workforce; likely to pursue clinical training in specialties highly proximate to public policy challenges, with most physicians remaining medically licensed after residency; and more likely to hold nonclinical roles in academia, clinical leadership, and the private sector than in nonprofits and government. We conclude that the importance of integrating physicians with policy training throughout various organizations warrants further research into the growth, characteristics, and career choices of these physicians.

An 8-Year Review of Match Outcomes From a Primary Care Pipeline Program

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Primary care supports the global health care system. With an increased need for primary care physicians, medical schools must provide resources, role models, and opportunities to increase the number of medical students matching into primary care residencies. Some medical schools have developed primary care pipeline programs for students. The outcomes of one such program-the Primary Care Program (PCP)-at the Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) of the University of Southern California (USC), an urban and private academic medical training center, are evaluated here.

METHODS

We reviewed PCP student outcome data for students who graduated between 2015 and 2022. Data were gathered through surveys, residency match lists, and graduation records.

RESULTS

Among PCP matriculates (n=134), 70% were female and 39% were underrepresented in medicine. Thirteen percent (n=16) of PCP graduates (n=122) completed a master of public health (MPH) degree. Among PCP graduates, 70% matched into primary care residencies compared to 36% of non-PCP graduates (P<.001). The most common residencies that PCP graduates matched into were family medicine (n=45, 37%), internal medicine (n=20, 16%), pediatrics (n=12, 10%), surgery (n=10, 8%), and psychiatry (n=9, 7%). A higher percentage of KSOM students matched into primary care residencies in the 8 graduation years after PCP was instituted (39%) than in the 8 graduation years before PCP was instituted (33%, P=.003).

CONCLUSIONS

The PCP data demonstrate the program's success at increasing the number of KSOM graduates matching into primary care residencies. The program provides a replicable training model.

Early career outcomes of a large four-year MD/ MPH program: Results of a cross sectional survey of three cohorts of graduates

The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine started a four-year MD/ MPH program in 2011 with a mission to graduate public health physician leaders to address the public health needs of the 21st century, with emphasis on three areas: leadership, research, and public health. A prospective cross-sectional survey of early graduates was conducted to understand how they incorporate public health training into their careers. There were two study questions: What are the self-described early career activities of the graduates of the first three cohorts in the areas of leadership, research, and public health and what are the perceptions regarding the influence of the public health training on their careers? In the summer of 2020, a survey was sent to graduates from the classes of 2015, 2016, and 2017. In addition to several multiple-choice questions, the survey included an open-ended question on the impact of public health training in their careers. Inductive content analysis was used to analyze the responses to the open-ended question. Eighty-two of the 141 eligible graduates (63%) completed the survey; 80 of whom had participated or was currently participating in residency training. Forty-nine joined a residency in a primary care field. Many graduates had leadership roles in their early careers, including 35 who were selected as chief residents. Fifty-seven participated in research, most commonly in quality improvement (40), clinical (34) and community based (19). Over one third (30) chose to do work in public health during residency. Themes that emerged regarding the influence of public health training on their careers were: 1) Shifts in perspective, 2) Value of specific skills related to public health, 3) Steppingstone for professional opportunities 4) Focus on health disparities, social determinants, and inadequacies of the healthcare system, 5) Perception as leaders and mentors for peers, and 6) Preparedness for the pandemic. Graduates self-reported involvement in leadership, research, and public health activities as well as a commitment towards addressing some of our most pressing public health needs. Although long-term career outcomes need to be determined over time, graduates currently report considerable benefits of their public health training for their professional outcomes.

Teamwork quality and health workers burnout nexus: a new insight from canonical correlation analysis

BACKGROUND

Burnout is evidenced to have  adverse effect on the well-being of health workers. Although several risk factors of burnout have been found, only a hand full of studies have examined the role of teamwork quality. This study therefore sought to explore the relationship between the sub-dimensions of burnout and teamwork quality.

METHOD

This is an empirical study involving health workers who have practising certificate from the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. Relying on the study's target population, a sample of 939 healthworkers complied to partake in the survey. Data were obtained from the administration of a well-structured electronic questionnaire containing the Maslach Burnout Inventory together with Healthy and Resilient Organization (HERO) scales correspondingly. The scales were then analysed using the canonical correlation approach (CCA).

RESULTS

The results unveiled a statistically significant correlation between teamwork quality and health worker burnout indicating that teamwork quality and burnout are canonically correlated. Further, examination on the relationship existing between the dimensions of teamwork quality and burnout unveiled that with the exception of personal accomplishment and teamwork dedication, teamwork quality sub-scales (teamwork vigour and teamwork absorption) were negatively related to emotional exhaustion and depersonalization as sub-scales of burnout, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The study concluded that, surge in teamwork quality leads to reduced emotional exhaustion and reduced depersonalization while simultaneously increasing professional accomplishment. Therefore, this study presents a solid foundation for decreasing burnout syndrome in healthcare that can be implemented by successfully increasing levels of teamwork quality.

Educational Outcomes of a 4-Year MD-MPH Dual-Degree Program: High Completion Rates and Higher Likelihood of Primary Care Residency

PURPOSE

In 2007, University of Texas Health Science Center Houston School of Public Health at San Antonio (UTHealth SPH) and UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine (LSOM) designed and implemented a 4-year dual MD and Master of Public Health (MPH) program. Dual MD-MPH programs wherein students can receive both degrees within 4 years are unique, and programmatic evaluation may have generalizable implications for accredited MD-MPH programs.

METHOD

Demographic information was collected from UTHealth SPH and LSOM student data. The primary outcome variable was MD-MPH program completion in 4 years. Comprehensive Basic Science Examination (CBSE) scores, United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 and Step 2 scores, and successful primary care residency match data were compared between MD-MPH and MD-only students. Family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics-gynecology, and pediatrics were considered primary care residencies, and an analysis excluding obstetrics-gynecology was also conducted.

RESULTS

Of 241 MD-MPH students enrolled 2007-2017, 66% were women, 22% Hispanic, and 10% African American. Four-year MD-MPH program completion occurred for 202 (93% of eligible) students; 9 (4.1%) received MD only, 3 (1.4%) received MPH only; and 4 (1.8%) received neither. MD-MPH students' median CBSE score was 2 points lower than for MD-only students (P = .035), but Step 1 and 2 scores did not differ. Primary care residency match was more likely compared with MD-only students, both including and excluding obstetrics-gynecology (odds ratio [OR]: 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31, 2.33; and OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.82, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The 4-year MD-MPH program retains and graduates a socioeconomically and racial/ethnically diverse group of students with a 93% success rate. MD-MPH graduates were more likely to pursue primary care residency than non-dual-degree students, which may have implications for addressing population health disparities.

Attractiveness of medical disciplines amongst Swiss first-year medical students allocated to different medical education tracks: cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

As most countries, Switzerland is experiencing a shortage of physicians especially in general practice and new medical education tracks with respective focusses have been started in response. This study investigated Swiss medical students' career openness and attractiveness of different medical disciplines as well as the concordance of students' career intentions with assigned medical education tracks.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study surveying first year medical students assigned to four different Swiss medical education tracks with distinctive additional education focuses (ETH Zurich: medical technology and engineering, University of St. Gallen and University of Lucerne: primary healthcare and University of Zurich: no distinctive focus).

RESULTS

We surveyed 354 medical students (response rate across all included medical education tracks 71.1%), 64.8% female, mean age 20 years. Regarding career openness, we found that 52.8% of medical students had neither a strong commitment nor a strong reservation for any of the proposed career options and 17.0% had a strong commitment. Among medical disciplines, medical subspecialties were attractive to the largest part of students (inpatient subspecialties attractive for 71%, outpatient for 58%), attractiveness of general practice was moderate (30%), academic (22%) and industrial sector (17%) careers were least attractive. Proportions of medical students attracted to general practice were similar at medical education tracks with focus on primary healthcare compared to other medical education tracks (32.2% vs. 25.8%, p = 0.391). Conversely, proportions of medical students attracted to academic or industry careers were significantly higher at the ETH Zurich compared to other medical education tracks (37.2%, vs. 13.1%, p < 0.001 and 31.9%, vs. 8.8%, p < 0.001 respectively).

CONCLUSION

While most first-year medical students were open to careers in many medical disciplines, attractiveness of disciplines varied strongly. Students attracted to academic or industrial careers accumulated at the medical education track with concordant teaching focus but students attracted to general practice did not accumulate at medical education tracks focused on primary healthcare. For medical education tracks with primary care teaching focus this is both a challenge and an opportunity to specifically counteract the shortage of general practitioners in Switzerland.

Training tomorrow's doctors: the impact of a Student Selected Component in Global Health during medical school

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Introduction:Several reports highlight the importance of global health education (GHE) for training tomorrow's doctors. In 2006, Newcastle University Medical School developed a Student Selected Component (SSC) in Global Health. We followed up students who completed the SSC to assess the impact on their experience as practising clinicians and postgraduate career development. Methods:We developed an electronic survey including questions about speciality choice, postgraduate qualifications, extracurricular activity and international work. Surveys were sent to 72 SSC participants identified between 2006-2017 through the Newcastle University Alumni and Supporters network and social media. Results: Surveys were returned by 37 (51%) SSC participants; 25 (71%) and 16 (46%) believed the SSC had influenced their clinical practice and career choice, respectively. Twenty-two (59%) obtained an intercalated degree programme, of whom nine (24%) did a Masters programme specifically in Global Health and four (11%), and two (5%) completed a Masters degree in Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases respectively, both key themes within GHE. Four (11%) undertook, and 10 (29%) were considering postgraduate study related to global health, of whom three (9%) specified undertaking a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H) and one (3%) studying a Masters degree in Public Health. Five (14%) had, and 19 (54%) were planning to work abroad, most referring to work in humanitarian or low resource settings and GHE programmes. Discussion and Conclusion:Participation in an SSC in Global Health may affect positive change in students' clinical practice and help inform academic and clinical career choice. Whilst a causative relationship cannot be inferred, the experience may support or increase the pursuit of additional global health-related qualifications, research and international health work. Medical schools that endeavour to produce graduates motivated to tackle our society's global health challenges should champion comprehensive global health modules for students.

Dual MD-MPH Degree Students in the United States: Moving the Medical Workforce Toward Population Health

OBJECTIVE

A growing need exists to train physicians in population health to meet the increasing need and demand for physicians with leadership, health data management/metrics, and epidemiology skills to better serve the health of the community. This study examines current trends in students pursuing a dual doctor of medicine (MD)-master of public health (MPH) degree (MD-MPH) in the United States.

METHODS

We conducted an extensive literature review of existing MD-MPH databases to determine characteristics (eg, sex, race/ethnicity, MPH area of study) of this student cohort in 2019. We examined a trend in the MD community to pursue an MPH career, adding additional public health and health care policy training to the MD workforce. We conducted targeted telephone interviews with 20 admissions personnel and faculty at schools offering MD-MPH degrees in the United States with the highest number of matriculants and graduates. Interviews focused on curricula trends in medical schools that offer an MD-MPH degree.

RESULTS

No literature describes the US MD-MPH cohort, and available MD-MPH databases are limited and incomplete. We found a 434% increase in the number of students pursuing an MD-MPH degree from 2010 to 2018. The rate of growth was greater than the increase in either the number of medical students (16%) or the number of MPH students (65%) alone. Moreover, MD-MPH students as a percentage of total MPH students more than tripled, from 1.1% in 2010 to 3.6% in 2018.

CONCLUSIONS

As more MD students pursue public health training, the impact of an MPH degree on medical school curricula, MD-MPH graduates, and MD-MPH career pursuits should be studied using accurate and comprehensive databases.

A comparison of match outcomes between traditional medical degree and dual-degree applicants

Background

Dual degrees combining and MD with another professional degree (MPH, MBA, or PhD) are becoming more common in an attempt to increase an applicant’s competitivity for a residency.

Objective

This study was designed to assess differences in MD-only and dual degree MD applicants with respect to applicant characteristics and match outcomes.

Methods

Utilizing the voluntarily-reported publicly available 2017–2019 Texas STAR database, we assessed applicants from 115 medical schools. Texas STAR indicates that over this time period, there were 18,224 responses for a response rate of 43.8%. Comparisons were made between groups using student’s t-test and chi-squared analysis.

Results

Compared to MD only students, MD/MPH applicants had a higher propensity towards primary care specialties. MD/PhD applicants did not differ versus MD only applicants in their selection of primary care specialties, or of competitive specialties. MD/MBA applicants chose more competitive specialties and less primary care specialties. Despite all these differences, match rates were not different comparing MD only and dual-degree students.

Conclusions

Despite the growing popularity of combined MD programs, such programs do not appear to increase applicant match competitivity.

Burnout among doctors in China through 2018: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Burnout negatively impacts the mental and physical health doctors. More seriously, it leads to poor patient care. In China, the situation is severe and more efforts are needed to reveal the epidemiological characteristics of doctor burnout to develop improved strategies of alleviating it. Due to the large number of heterogeneous and sample size-restricted surveys currently published, meta-analysis and systematic reviews are critical to a thorough understanding of burnout among Chinese doctors.

METHODS

The Cochrane Collaboration criteria and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) will be followed to conduct and report the systematic review. We will conduct a comprehensive search on the data bases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang, PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library from their inception to December 2018. Prospective cohort and cross-sectional studies that described the prevalence of Chinese doctors' prevalence will be eligible for inclusion. The risk of bias and methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed using a risk of bias tool and the Cochrane guidelines for observational studies. A generalized linear mixed model framework with the Poisson likelihood and the log link function will be used to access the incidence rate ratio. Multivariate Poisson regression framework will be conducted to adjust modeling heterogeneity and confounders, like difference regions and time periods. The risk of bias, heterogeneity, and quality of evidence will be assessed in accordance with the aforementioned guidelines.

RESULTS

The primary outcome will be the prevalence and distribution of 3 dimension of burnout in Chinese doctors, and the second will be the difference of prevalence between difference regions and time periods.

DISCUSSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis will help us to reveal the prevalence, characteristics, timeline, and correlation between these factors in burnout; we expect our work may provide a scientific basis for further prevention and intervention of burnout in Chinese doctors, eventually to improve the quality of health care.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018104249.

Federal research funding and academic productivity in pediatric urology: from early career to research independence

INTRODUCTION

Federal grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) are crucial for early career physician-scientists. Federal funding success has been explored in other surgical specialties, but has not been evaluated in pediatric urology.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize factors associated with receipt of federal grants, hypothesizing that pediatric urologists who were have advanced research degree(s) were more likely to be federally funded.

STUDY DESIGN

All pediatric fellowship graduates from 1985-2016 listed on the Societies for Pediatric Urology and institutional websites were queried using the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools. Primary outcomes were successful receipt of federal grants and transition from mentor-based to independent funding. The secondary outcome was publication rate on PubMed as of November 2017. Covariables included advanced degree(s) (eg, PhD, MPH, MSc, etc), sex, and year of fellowship graduation (1985-2006 versus 2007-2016).

RESULTS

Of 445 pediatric urologists (73% male), 36 (8%) were federal grant recipients. Of 18 mentor-based awardees, 9 (50%) transitioned to independent awards. After adjusting for sex and year of fellowship graduation, having an advanced degree(s) was associated with funding success for mentor-based awards (hazard ratio [HR] 3.83 [95% confidence interval, 1.21-12.14], p = 0.02; Summary Table) and independent awards (HR 3.11 [1.21-8.02], p = 0.02), and with higher publication rates (incident rate ratio [IRR] 2.03 [1.43-2.87], p < 0.001). Recent training (2007-2016) was also associated with higher publication rates (IRR 2.70 [2.16-3.37], p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

Among fellowship-trained pediatric urologists in North America between 1985 and 2016, the prevalence of federal grant recipients was 8%. Pediatric urologists who had an advanced educational degree were more likely to be a federally funded grant recipient and have a higher publication rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Fellowship programs should consider adding opportunities for self-selected applicants to pursue additional research training and degrees.

Motivations of South African physicians specialising in public health

Background: South African physicians can specialise in public health through a four-year ‘registrar’ programme. Despite national health policies that seemingly value public health (PH) approaches, the Public Health Medicine (PHM) speciality is largely invisible in the health services. Nevertheless, many physicians enrol for specialist training.

Objectives: This study investigated physicians’ motivations for specialising in PHM, their intended career paths, perceptions of training, and perspectives about the future of the speciality.

Methods: Focus groups and in-depth interviews were conducted with specialists-in-training and newly qualified specialists, and thematic analysis of transcripts was performed.

Results: Motivations, often driven by difficult experiences as young physicians in poorly resourced clinical settings, stemmed from a commitment to improving communities’ health and desire to impact on perceived failing health systems. Rather than ‘exiting’ the South African health service, selecting PHM specialist training enacted participants’ ‘loyalty’ to population health. Participants anticipated carving out their own careers due to an absence of public sector career paths. They believed specialists’ contribution centred on providing ‘public health intelligence’ – finding and interpreting information; supporting services through management and leadership; and inputting into policymaking and planning.

Conclusions: Competencies of PHM specialists should be refined to inform and improve management of this scarce human resource for health. This is particularly important given the proposed major health reforms towards universal health coverage in South Africa presently. In addition, findings highlight the importance of physicians’ early work experiences where avenues for expressing ‘voice’, mediated by ‘loyalty’, could be utilised to improve public sector health systems.

'Why do an MPH?' Motivations and intentions of physicians undertaking postgraduate public health training at the University of Cape Town

Background

Public health (PH) approaches underpin the management and transformation of health systems in low- and middle-income countries. Despite the Master of Public Health (MPH) rarely being a prerequisite for health service employment in South Africa, many physicians pursue MPH qualifications.

Objectives

This study identifies their motivations and career intentions and explored MPH programme strengths and gaps in under- and post-graduate PH training.

Design

A cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was completed by physicians graduating with an MPH between 2000 and 2009 and those enrolled in the programme in 2010 at the University of Cape Town.

Results

Nearly a quarter of MPH students were physicians. Of the 65 contactable physicians, 48% responded. They were mid-career physicians who wished to obtain research training (55%), who wished to gain broader perspectives on health (32%), and who used the MPH to advance careers (90%) as researchers, policy-makers, or managers. The MPH widened professional opportunities, with 62% changing jobs. They believed that inadequate undergraduate exposure should be remedied by applying PH approaches to clinical problems in community settings, which would increase the attractiveness of postgraduate PH training.

Conclusions

The MPH allows physicians to transition from pure clinical to research, policy and/or management work, preparing them to innovate changes for effective health systems, responsive to the health needs of populations. Limited local job options and incentives are important constraining factors. Advocacy for positions requiring qualifications and benchmarking exit competencies of programmes nationally may promote enrolment.

Job burnout and organizational justice among medical interns in Shanghai, People's Republic of China

BACKGROUND

New challenges are occurring in the medical education in Mainland China, and the main risk is the loss of excellent physician candidates. This is due to lack of respect; a large, strong labor force; relatively low remuneration; unstable relationships between patients and doctors; pressures from the public media; and the possible existence of organizational injustice within the hospital. The study reported here looked at one of the in-hospital risks, psychological job burnout and organizational justice, to identify the possible internal cause-effect relationship at the two major general hospitals both affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the reported study was to analyze the related factors associated with job burnout in Chinese medical interns in Shanghai and to provide some suggestions to better their occupational development.

METHODS

A total of 135 medical interns were investigated and assessed by the Organizational Justice Scale and the Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant negative correlation between organizational justice and job burnout (r=-0.298, P=0.000), suggesting the existence of job burnout among the participant interns. In particular, emotional exhaustion and cynicism were statistically more significant; the comparison between the N group (from Nanjing) and S group (Shanghai) showed significant difference in participation and reduced professional efficacy (P<0.05), with reduced professional efficacy in N group more significant than in S group, and participation in S group more significant than in N group.

CONCLUSION

Job burnout existed among Chinese medical interns, and was associated with fewer complaints and lower professional efficacy. Organizational justice should be promoted more, and school authorities should pay more attention to outside "non-home" interns. Finally, it is essential that the medical interns themselves establish reasonable judgment of their valuable profession.

Establishing a field epidemiology elective for medical students in Kenya: a strategy for increasing public health awareness and workforce capacity

Medical students have limited exposure to field epidemiology, even though will assume public health roles after graduation. We established a 10-week elective in field epidemiology during medical school. Students attended one-week didactic sessions on epidemiology, and nine weeks in field placement sites. We administered pre- and post-tests to evaluate the training. We enrolled 34 students in 2011 and 2012. In 2011, we enrolled five of 24 applicants from a class of 280 medical students. In 2012, we enrolled 18 of 81 applicants from a class of 360 students; plus 11 who participated in the didactic sessions only. Among the 34 students who completed the didactic sessions, 74% were male, and their median age was 24 years (range: 22-26). The median pre-test score was 64% (range: 47-88%) and the median post-test score was 82% (range: 72-100%). Successful completion of the field projects was 100%. Six (30%) students were not aware of public health as a career option before this elective, 56% rated the field experience as outstanding, and 100% reported it increased their understanding of epidemiology. Implementing an elective in field epidemiology within the medical training is a highly acceptable strategy to increase awareness for public health among medical students.

Advanced degrees in academic colorectal surgery

Because of the increasing complexity of medical care, growing numbers of physicians are supplementing their medical education with additional training in basic research, public health, and leadership/business. The doctor of philosophy, master of public health, and master of business administration are popular degrees that give matriculants added levels of knowledge and expertise in their respective fields. This article reviews the relative advantages and disadvantages of each degree as they relate to a career in surgery. Data regarding the academic and financial outcomes of students obtaining these degrees are reviewed.

Evaluation of an intervention to improve skills in diagnostic radiology of rural physicians over one year in four rural hospitals

Background

Primary health care and patient triage are two basic functions of rural hospitals. As a routine test, the diagnostic radiology is still unavailable in some rural hospitals in China. Therefore, high-level hospitals are often the first choice of rural residents when they feel unwell. It brings serious social problems. This study was designed to propose an on-the-job drilling schema with integration of practical medical recordings and experienced radiological doctors as tutors to improve skills in diagnostic radiology of rural physicians.

Methods

The information technology was used to help the contact between rural doctors and tutors. In a longitudinal pre/post-test control study design, a cohort of 20 young physicians, each of whom was working in a rural hospital and had a work experience less than two years, were established as the trial group over one year. Another 20 similar counterparts were established as the control group. Participants' performances were evaluated in four categories at five-time point (TP).

Results

The trial group significantly outscored the control group on the style of writing at the second TP (d = 2.28); on the accuracy of the image description at final TP (d = 1.11); on the accuracy of the diagnosis at the fourth TP (d = 3.62); and on the correct treatment selection at the third TP (d = 6.45). The aspects with the most improvement were the accuracies of the diagnosis and the treatment selection.

Conclusion

This study provided the detailed evidences that applying the on-the-job drilling schema has a significant effect on the skills improvement in diagnostic radiology of rural physicians. It was also concluded that the educational intervention based on practical cases was better than that only based on didactic slides presentation.

What Motivates Talented Medical Students to Study Simultaneously at Master of Public Health (MPH)?

BACKGROUND

Nearly three decades ago, the Master of Public Health (MPH) academic degree was introduced to Tehran University of Medical Sciences' School of Public Health, Tehran, Iran. A new program for simultaneous education of medical, pharmaceutical and dental students was initiated in 2006. Talented students had the opportunity to study MPH simultaneously. There were some concerns about this kind of admission; as to whether these students who were not familiar with the health system had the appropriate attitude and background for this field of education. And with the present rate of brain drain, is this just a step towards their immigration without the fulfillment of public health?

METHODS

This qualitative study was conducted in 2012 where 26 students took part in focused group discussions and individual interviews. The students were questioned about their motivation and the program's impact on their future career. The participants' statements were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

THE PRIMARY MOTIVATIONS OF STUDENTS WHO ENTERED THIS PROGRAM WERE: learning health knowledge related issues, gaining a perspective beyond clinical practice, obtaining a degree to strengthen their academic résumé, immigration, learning academic research methods and preparing for the management of health systems in the future.

CONCLUSION

Apparently, there was no considerable difference between the motivation of students and the program planners. The students' main motivation for studying MPH was a combination of various interests in research and health sciences issues. Therefore, considering the potential of this group of students, effective academic investment on MPH can have positive impact.