The Final Answer
Follow this sound advice: Chart your hospital medicine career path, and then work backward to see whether you’ll benefit from obtaining a specific degree.
“It has to do with what you intend to do in a five- or 10-year timeframe, with the course direction of your career,” says Dr. McCurdy. “If you plan to pursue academic scholarship, a PhD can be very helpful. If you aspire to become medical director at Maryland Shock Trauma, an MBA is the ticket you’re definitely going to need to punch.” TH
Jane Jerrard has been writing for The Hospitalist since 2005.