Dual-degree MD-MBA students: a look at the future of medical leadership.

In an increasingly turbulent medical care system, business training is one way doctors and medical students are seeking to redefine their ability to lead and wield influence. Changes in the health care system have fostered the need for physician executives with business training who can serve as liaisons between administrative and clinical personnel. As the development of integrated delivery systems has combined clinical and administrative functions, the roles of physician executives have increased, as well as the demand for related training of physician leaders. Growth in the number of physician executives is expected to continue as such individuals demonstrate their ability to facilitate provider–physician relations and lend unique expertise and perspective in the health care delivery system. The transition from clinical roles to administrative functions can be challenging for physician executives. Moving into administrative roles presents challenges different from those inherent in medical training and practice. If the physician manager is to be considered an effective asset to an organization, the new role requires distinct shifts in thinking, philosophy, attitudes, and behavior. Because traditional clinical training of physicians contrasts with management training and functions, few physicians are prepared for the requirements of management roles. Several studies of leadership and management have found that leaders’ personality and behavioral characteristics are reliably predictive of group performance. Leadership success is associated with interpersonal ability, group-oriented behaviors, empathy, boldness in times of uncertainty, internal locus of control, and confidence. Leadership theory suggests that effective leaders are able to identify and actively respond to changes in a profession, organization, or situation. Although a growing number of practicing physicians have obtained business (MBA) degrees, relatively few educational initiatives have been focused on business and management training within the medical school program. In response to this demand, a limited number of medical schools are offering dual-degree programs in medicine and business. Established through cooperative agreements between medical and business schools, these programs offer a variety of arrangements through which medical students can obtain business and clinical training concurrently. Students enrolled in dual-degree programs make up an important group for exploratory research. If dual-degree medical students exhibit characteristics associated with successful leaders, this might indicate their ability to function as effective leaders in both clinical and management roles. Within the traditional medical school environment, it is possible that this group is reshaping individual beliefs about physician roles and the fit between clinical and administrative functions. Their career goals and the factors influencing these students to seek business training might provide an indicator of the leadership styles and roles of future physician executives.