Pre-med…What else?

KENNEDI SCALES – As pre-medical students complete their prerequisites, gain shadowing hours, and study for the MCAT, many agree that there is an undeniable pressure to have their lives figured out. Early in an undergraduate degree, there is an expectation to know which specialty fits like a glove. This work-oriented culture drives individuals to rush into career-altering decisions, causing difficulty  to feel free to explore different or unconventional career paths. This widespread way of thinking has led to a limited motivation to venture outside of initially chosen future goals. The truth is that there are several ways to deviate from the traditional pre-medical path. 

The best example of such programs is the dual MD/PhD career pathway. The name itself can be enough to deter students, and many cease consideration once they learn that it involves 7-9 years after undergraduate to complete. Though long and extremely rigorous, obtaining both an MD and PhD can be incredibly rewarding for some individuals. The pathway is often referred to as a bridge discipline, as it allows for one to engage in scientific and biomedical research while practicing medicine. Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTPs) across the country are federally funded and tuition free, and also include benefits such as healthcare. As the biomedical research and medical fields expand and continue to collide into one another, there is a growing importance for individuals who directly engage in both to shape healthcare.

The MD/MPH career pathway is also another option that often goes undiscovered. It involves the acquisition of an MD and a Masters in Public Health. Those who pursue these degrees are most often interested in the social aspects of health, health equity, health education, health policy, and disease prevention in addition to the practice of medicine. The average length of this program is 5 years, and it steps out of the realm of scientific research and into the social sciences. Gaining an understanding of the social aspects of medicine is vital to addressing health disparities and moving towards an equitable global healthcare system. 

The MD-MBA involves the acquisition of a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Individuals who obtain these degrees are equipped with the skills to understand business decisions, insurance, and economic aspects of healthcare. Similarly, the MD-JD pathway integrates both medicine and law. Those who take special interests in bioethics or health policy can pursue this career path. 

There are many ways to engage in research or practice other disciplines while also practicing medicine.All of these areas affect one another, ultimately shaping the landscape of healthcare in the United States and even the globe. It is important to reach an understanding of how they interact with each other. The MD pathway can feel limiting, but there are so many ways to integrate multiple areas of study into an individual’s career path.

Copy Editor – Aahana Shankaran

Photography Source – https://hms.harvard.edu/about-hms