title: Which degree should you choose?
abstract: Which degree should physician executives pursue to enhance their careers--an MBA, MHA, MPH, MS in Administrative Medicine, JD, or other graduate degree? While options abound and the debate continues over which graduate degree physicians preparing for senior management roles in the health field should select, several variables are analyzed in this article that must be considered. Physicians need to be trained to provide leadership in the new, more market-driven environment--their education must focus more on the integration and coordination of clinical and managerial processes. New managerial competencies will be required by the paradigm shift away from simply delivering effective and efficient health services to one that emphasizes improved access, social equity, and particularly on cost containment and quality of care efforts.
authors.affiliation: Bedford Health Associates, Inc., Asheville, NC, USA.
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Weil
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004500:Education, Graduate; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007857:Leadership; D008486:Physician Executives / Q000193:education* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D011361:Professional Competence; D014481:United States