Early outcomes of a large four-year MDMPH program: Results of a cross sectional survey of graduates (from three cohorts)

To address the public health needs of the 21st century, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine implemented a four-year MD/ MPH program in 2011 with a mission to graduate public health physician leaders. The first cohort of students graduated in 2015. In the summer of 2020, a survey was sent to graduates to gather information on their early career involvement in the areas of leadership, research, and public health. In addition to several multiple-choice questions, the survey included an open-ended question on the impact of public health training in their careers. Content analysis was used to analyze the responses to the open-ended question. Eighty-two graduates completed the survey; 80 of whom had participated in residency training. Forty-nine (61%) joined a residency in a primary care field. Many graduates had leadership roles in their early careers, including 35 (44%) who were selected as chief residents. Fifty-seven (71%) participated in research, most commonly in quality improvement (40, 50%), clinical (34, 43%) and community based (19, 24%). Over one third (30, 38%) chose to do work in public health during residency. Themes that emerged regarding the impact of public health training on their careers were: 1) Shift in perspective, 2) Value of specific skills related to public health, 3) Steppingstone for professional opportunities 4) Focus on health disparities, social determinants, and inadequacies of the healthcare system, 5) Status as leaders and mentors for peers, and 6) Self-efficacy during the pandemic. Graduates self-reported significant commitment and involvement in leadership, research, and public health as well as towards addressing some of our most pressing public health needs. Although long-term career outcomes need to be determined over time, currently graduates report significant benefits of their public health training for their professional outcomes.