Want to change medicine? Work in finance.

Traditionally, many medical students use the proverbial “last summer of their lives” to conduct basic/clinical research, shadow or go abroad. If you want to be a leader in health care or are simply unsure of what to do over the summer, you should try something more exotic and unexpected — work in finance or industry. Wall Street, big pharma and private insurers have long been the moral punching bags of clinicians and health care workers. Yet, stepping into their shoes can be valuable for two reasons. First, you will begin to understand incentives in the health care system. Second, you will become familiar with the language of business and money. Both are necessary if you plan on shaping the future of health care. Though attitudes are changing, evidenced by the rise of MD/MBA dual degrees and an emphasis on innovation, these subjects are still largely absent from traditional medical education. This summer, I interned at a hedge fund that invests in the health care space. I found learning how other major players impact the health care system far more valuable than pipetting small volumes of clear liquids or data mining electronic health records. I don’t mean to downplay the value of such projects; I took two years off before school to do wet lab research and absolutely loved it. Just know that basic and clinical research aren’t going anywhere, and you may return with a better appreciation for how they fit into a larger health care puzzle. Continue reading ... Your pa...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Education Medical school Practice Management Public Health & Policy Source Type: blogs