PhD Options in Healthcare
Although a PhD is not required for a career in healthcare or medicine, earning one can increase your potential career options. You may want to pursue a PhD in nursing, pharmacy, public health, health care administration, or other related fields. It is even possible to receive an online PhD at some institutions. The US News website located at grad-schools.usnews.rankingsa…health-schools has a lot of great information on how to choose the right PhD program and school for you and on what career options graduates have.
Those interested in exploring the academic or research aspects of nursing should consider pursuing a PhD in nursing. These students may take jobs in healthcare, government, or academia. Nursing PhD students perform research and treat patients while also considering the broader context of the healthcare system, healthcare policies, and education.
Some institutions offer a combined PharmD/PhD program to prepare students to integrate pharmacy practice with research. These students often take jobs in academia, industry, and hospital settings. These programs are typically structured so that they take less time than would be required to complete each degree separately. They are ideal for students who are interested in combining working as a pharmacist with furthering the advancement of basic science through a research-based approach.
A PhD in public health will introduce students to the underlying theories and the methods used to study public health policies and issues. Students may choose to focus in a certain area such as epidemiology, toxicology, or biostatistics. After studying current approaches to healthcare, these students will be well prepared to address the changing healthcare system. They will devise new methods that may more effectively treat people who need care and may prevent future medical problems by promoting healthy lifestyles and improving access to preventative care.
PhDs in health care administration are becoming more common. These students conduct research, teach students, and publish their findings. This multidisciplinary field focuses on finding cost-effect, long term solutions to current problems in healthcare. Students may specialize in an area such as disparities in high quality care, long term care or care for children.
If you enjoy combining the clinical aspects of health care with an understanding of the theory and methods used to devise health care policies, a PhD in a healthcare-related field may help you find the ideal career. A PhD curriculum focused on research will provide you with an evidenced-based approach to exploring health care. It will also expand your career options and the possible settings in which you may find work.
