The Value of an Elective in Business and Leadership for Medical Students

This report describes the impact of the implementation of an elective in business and leadership targeted to preclinical medical students. Of the 42 students who completed the elective, 30 (71%) completed the survey. Students reported that they had a better understanding of the U.S. healthcare system (p <.01), had a better understanding of the role of physician-leaders (p <.01), and were more inclined to pursue managerial positions in medicine during their career (p <.01). We determined that an elective in business and leadership in medicine is a valuable addition to the standard undergraduate medical curriculum to enhance medical student exposure to the principles of the business of medicine and physician leadership.