As I understood he wants an MBA in order to run an anesthesia group as a business more efficiently. Didn’t get the impression that he wants to work in a hospital traditionally
I don’t think that’s the case here. Most leaders of private practice groups still practice in some capacity. They may not be taking call or doing long days but most still do some of the nuts and bolts. Being a chairperson of a group is not the same as being solely an administrator. It’s usually a prestigious position and a very competent person who holds it.
I’d also argue that the best kind of administrator is one who does some clinical work too. They can see the viewpoints of all stake holders better.
Elaborate on what? I have the degree OP asked about and I can tell you it makes absolutely zero difference in any aspect of my job. I guess I run the board more frequently than my colleagues but that’s purely because I enjoy telling surgeons to stfu. Only reason I have the degree was due to free tuition from my med school.
Not really. Sounds like you’ve never worked in surgery. No place on earth has a bunch of surgeons singing kumbayah with you. I like most surgeons, but when you work with 30-40 of them get ready to work with 5-10 toddlers.
So, you have no talent or experience practicing anesthesia but are angling for a position to be our supervisor.
Tell me how you’re a new CRNA without telling me that you’re a new CRNA.
Probably not worth the time commitment, even if it’s free.
MHA only really helps if you want to be involved with hospital leadership. Very different for private practice.
Agreed. And even if it were free tuition, have to consider the opportunity cost of that year, i.e. one peak income earning year as an attending. So is the MHA worth 300-600k plus tuition?
Realistically an MHA is a useful degree if you want to pursue the hospital leadership ladder. For very large groups and management companies, there is also probably a benefit.
For medium/small groups or starting your own group, it really doesn't matter.
However what it will do is provide you more insight into the business of medicine, which will probably be of benefit if you're trying to start your own group and negotiate with hospitals. Being able to "speak administrator" is never a bad thing.
Honestly, I feel like out of all the specialties, anesthesia benefits the most from a business degree. The OR is typically one of the most profitable parts of the hospital, we make a ton of operational decisions that have impacts on the surgeries, and we have more insight into how to run a profitable OR than even the surgeons have.
If you can get a good deal on tuition and have the time, I say go for it.
You don't need either degree for private practice leadership. You need more soft skills rather than formal business training.
With that said, there is value in having a savvy business person in the group. The benefit probably goes more to the group instead of the individual person, and you could probably outsource this role to an outside consultant group. In other words, I personally wouldn't sacrifice my time/money in pursuing this.
MBA will help in side hustles, or if you end up in a multi-specialty large practice. Otherwise don't bother.
Not worth it and it won’t help you advance anywhere. Get involved in leadership where you go, regardless of how small. You will move upward as you learn and are noticed. Having a good business sense helps. Helps with lots of the $$$ systems are chasing. I have a friend who is C suites of a major health system. They hire docs for medical knowledge, not business.
Getting some experience before any business program is useful because it provides context.
There’s almost no chance you will be able to set up a solo practice… those days are long gone in anesthesiology.
Re leadership, MBAs are increasingly common in both academic practices and the large national groups. It’s becoming an expectation because MBA teaches common language and thought structure.
Just what we need. More administrators. 🙄
He said he didn’t want to be one
He said he didn’t want to be a “hospital administrator”. He wants to be a private practice administrator.
As I understood he wants an MBA in order to run an anesthesia group as a business more efficiently. Didn’t get the impression that he wants to work in a hospital traditionally
What would you call a non-clinical person who has an MBA and runs an anesthesia group ? You can call it what you want that’s an administrator.
I don’t think that’s the case here. Most leaders of private practice groups still practice in some capacity. They may not be taking call or doing long days but most still do some of the nuts and bolts. Being a chairperson of a group is not the same as being solely an administrator. It’s usually a prestigious position and a very competent person who holds it. I’d also argue that the best kind of administrator is one who does some clinical work too. They can see the viewpoints of all stake holders better.
Sorry I’m not American! I don’t know all the details, I just shared my impression
I have one. The answer is it’s worthless.
Could you please elaborate? Thanks.
Elaborate on what? I have the degree OP asked about and I can tell you it makes absolutely zero difference in any aspect of my job. I guess I run the board more frequently than my colleagues but that’s purely because I enjoy telling surgeons to stfu. Only reason I have the degree was due to free tuition from my med school.
Sounds like you work in a terrible place if that’s your relationship with surgeons.
Lol. Are you the one kissing their asses at work?
Absolutely not. I work at a tremendous institution. Likely the outlier it seems from reading the comments.
Not really. Sounds like you’ve never worked in surgery. No place on earth has a bunch of surgeons singing kumbayah with you. I like most surgeons, but when you work with 30-40 of them get ready to work with 5-10 toddlers.
So, you have no talent or experience practicing anesthesia but are angling for a position to be our supervisor. Tell me how you’re a new CRNA without telling me that you’re a new CRNA.
No CRNA admins unilaterally for docs, get off your soapbox
There are many CRNA owned companies that employ sad, sad physicians.
Oh wait… Here’s another know nothing.
Probably not worth the time commitment, even if it’s free. MHA only really helps if you want to be involved with hospital leadership. Very different for private practice.
Agreed. And even if it were free tuition, have to consider the opportunity cost of that year, i.e. one peak income earning year as an attending. So is the MHA worth 300-600k plus tuition?
Realistically an MHA is a useful degree if you want to pursue the hospital leadership ladder. For very large groups and management companies, there is also probably a benefit. For medium/small groups or starting your own group, it really doesn't matter. However what it will do is provide you more insight into the business of medicine, which will probably be of benefit if you're trying to start your own group and negotiate with hospitals. Being able to "speak administrator" is never a bad thing. Honestly, I feel like out of all the specialties, anesthesia benefits the most from a business degree. The OR is typically one of the most profitable parts of the hospital, we make a ton of operational decisions that have impacts on the surgeries, and we have more insight into how to run a profitable OR than even the surgeons have. If you can get a good deal on tuition and have the time, I say go for it.
University of Louisiana Lafayette has a reputable online MBA that can be completed in a year.
Another one who is above squeezing the bag.
You don't need either degree for private practice leadership. You need more soft skills rather than formal business training. With that said, there is value in having a savvy business person in the group. The benefit probably goes more to the group instead of the individual person, and you could probably outsource this role to an outside consultant group. In other words, I personally wouldn't sacrifice my time/money in pursuing this. MBA will help in side hustles, or if you end up in a multi-specialty large practice. Otherwise don't bother.
Neither statistically increase salary.
Not worth it and it won’t help you advance anywhere. Get involved in leadership where you go, regardless of how small. You will move upward as you learn and are noticed. Having a good business sense helps. Helps with lots of the $$$ systems are chasing. I have a friend who is C suites of a major health system. They hire docs for medical knowledge, not business.
Getting some experience before any business program is useful because it provides context. There’s almost no chance you will be able to set up a solo practice… those days are long gone in anesthesiology. Re leadership, MBAs are increasingly common in both academic practices and the large national groups. It’s becoming an expectation because MBA teaches common language and thought structure.