A survey of physicians who studied public health during medical school

The need for more physicians trained in prevention, research methods, and management has been argued by many leaders in medical education. Columbia University attempts to address this need by providing medical students with a variety of options for studying public health.

A survey of Columbia's medical graduates who had taken elective courses in public health explored the reasons they began their studies, why some did not continue, their assessment of the value of public health courses, and their careers after graduation.

Responses were received from 60 graduates. Health policy, international health, and clinical prevention were the primary interests leading them to study public health. Courses in epidemiology, biostatistics, and policy and management were cited as most useful. The pressure of clinical training was the major reason why some did not complete the master of public health (MPH) degree in a timely fashion. Among students who had enrolled in the MPH program and finished medical school before 1990, 84% eventually received the MPH, although some took as many as 12 additional years to complete the degree. Medical students who studied public health did not differ greatly from their classmates in their specialty choices, but those who completed the MPH chose academic, governmental, and corporate practice settings more frequently than other young physicians, and devoted more time to non-clinical activities.

Public health educators can serve a variety of career needs for future physicians. In addition to personal interests, the presence of role models is an important reason students begin studying public health.