Medicine and MBAs

Even before he took a new position as interim chairman in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Maryland in Baltimore earlier this year, Hugh Mighty, MD, realized that “administration means more than signing checks” and enrolled in an executive master of business administration (MBA) program at a nearby college. He is not alone. Increasing numbers of physicians in the middle of their careers are examining the altered health care landscape and deciding—for personal or professional reasons—to become involved in both business and medicine.

Some physicians believe that advanced training in management is necessary if their profession is to maintain its control in hospitals and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). The American College of Physician Executives (ACPE), a professional trade organization, estimates that 13 000 physicians have been or are working toward roles in medical management. Among other experiences, service on teams or committees may awaken an interest in more formal management training.

Many believe that physicians with business training will make better managerial decisions regarding health care than businesspersons with no medical background. Michael Whitcomb, MD, senior vice president for medical education at the American Association of Medical Colleges in Washington, D.C., said that although his organization does not track the numbers of physicians who have or are studying for MBAs, he believes that “it's good to have people with medical training in management roles.”

Most physicians who have taken the path to management training are not abandoning medicine but are seeking to “regain the initiative on how patient care is provided [by] moving in greater numbers into management” (LeTourneau B, Curry W. Front Health Serv Manage. 1997;13:3-25). Many opportunities now exist to combine the two fields. Nondegree certificate programs, which …