Educational Outcomes of a 4-Year MD–MPH Dual-Degree Program: High Completion Rates and Higher Likelihood of Primary Care Residency. (19th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taylor, Barbara S.; Mazurek, Paulina H.; Gutierrez, Stephanie; Tyson, Joshua; Futrell, Selina; Jackson, Jeff; Hanson, Joshua; Valerio, Melissa A.
• Is Part Of: Academic medicine. Volume 97:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 894
• Page End: 898
• Publication Date: 2022-05-19
• Subjects: Medical education -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Medical personnel -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.711
• DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000004603
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1040-2446

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: In 2007, University of Texas Health Science Center Houston School of Public Health at San Antonio (UTHealth SPH) and UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine (LSOM) designed and implemented a 4-year dual MD and Master of Public Health (MPH) program. Dual MD–MPH programs wherein students can receive both degrees within 4 years are unique, and programmatic evaluation may have generalizable implications for accredited MD–MPH programs. Method: Demographic information was collected from UTHealth SPH and LSOM student data. The primary outcome variable was MD–MPH program completion in 4 years. Comprehensive Basic Science Examination (CBSE) scores, United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 and Step 2 scores, and successful primary care residency match data were compared between MD–MPH and MD-only students. Family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics–gynecology, and pediatrics were considered primary care residencies, and an analysis excluding obstetrics–gynecology was also conducted. Results: Of 241 MD–MPH students enrolled 2007–2017, 66% were women, 22% Hispanic, and 10% African American. Four-year MD–MPH program completion occurred for 202 (93% of eligible) students; 9 (4.1%) received MD only, 3 (1.4%) received MPH only; and 4 (1.8%) received neither. MD–MPH students' median CBSE score was 2 points lower than for MD-only students ( P = .035), but Step 1 and 2 scores did not differ. Primary care residency match was more likely compared with MD-only students, both including and excluding obstetrics–gynecology (odds ratio [OR]: 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31, 2.33; and OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.82, respectively). Conclusions: The 4-year MD–MPH program retains and graduates a socioeconomically and racial/ethnically diverse group of students with a 93% success rate. MD–MPH graduates were more likely to pursue primary care residency than non-dual-degree students, which may have implications for addressing population health disparities.