# The Convergence of Healthcare and Public Policy: The Significance of Dual Degrees
**By Sydney Sharp, MD/MSPP Candidate**
## Integrating Medicine and Policy: A Personal Insight
As I enter my third year as a medical student pursuing an MD alongside an MS in public policy, I often face the question, *”What’s the benefit of adding another graduate degree when the demands of medicine are already immense?”* As I wrap up my initial semester in my policy program, I reflect on the rationale behind this choice. For those exploring dual-degree paths, it’s a moment to not just think about career growth, but also to deliberate on how we can foster meaningful change.
To me, the rationale is evident: The difficulties I observe in clinical environments frequently arise from systemic challenges that necessitate solutions beyond mere clinical practice.
### An Example: Pediatric Eye Care and Systemic Obstacles
Take pediatric ophthalmology as a case in point. In a recent policy project, I scrutinized the barriers hindering children from obtaining vital vision care. Factors like [cuts in Medicaid reimbursement](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36441126/) and [shortages in the healthcare workforce](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36441154/) contribute to disparities in healthcare access, putting marginalized youth at risk of lasting repercussions.
In numerous states, [Medicaid reimbursement rates](https://www.kff.org/medicaid/state-indicator/medicaid-to-medicare-fee-index/) are so inadequate that doctors cannot afford to accept Medicaid patients. Consequently, hospitals often incur financial losses when they care for these individuals. The American Hospital Association reported that in 2020, [hospitals received a mere 88 cents for each dollar](https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2020/01/2020-Medicare-Medicaid-Underpayment-Fact-Sheet.pdf) spent on Medicaid patients.
The solution extends beyond simply hiring more physicians—advocacy for increased reimbursement rates is essential to entice providers and establish sustainable care. Tackling these challenges requires not only clinical prowess but also a strong grasp of health policy, data-informed advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration.
## Reimagining the Physician’s Role: The Importance of Policy
For many aspiring physicians, health policy might seem abstract—something meant for lawmakers and administrators. Nevertheless, policies affect every dimension of healthcare, from service accessibility to the financial motivations shaping physician choices. To bring about genuine change, we need physicians to have a *place at the table* where these critical decisions unfold.
### Insights from the COVID-19 Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the shortcomings in our healthcare system, ranging from severe PPE shortages to inequities in vaccine access. Health policy specialists were instrumental in devising emergency strategies that favored vulnerable populations and guided distribution plans. These experiences emphasize the necessity for more physicians who are equipped not only to treat and diagnose but also to influence policy responses ahead of the next public health emergency.
## My Journey: Medicine, Policy, and Advocacy
My educational path has taken me from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to NYU’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. My dedication to Medicaid advocacy requires an understanding of financial limitations, public opinions, and stakeholder interactions—complexities that a single degree cannot fully encompass.
During my research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, [I analyzed Medicaid equity policies in Pennsylvania](https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/heq.2024.0025), shedding light on how different stakeholders enact policies that affect healthcare access in terms of race and socioeconomic factors.
Furthermore, my experience with UNAIDS in Geneva, Switzerland—where I investigated the nexus of HIV policy and global health law—provided me with a firsthand view of how legislative advocacy impacts healthcare outcomes worldwide. These experiences reinforced my commitment to intertwining policy education with my medical training.
## The Undervalued Role of Physicians in Health Policy
Medical students frequently view policy engagement as a pursuit for a later stage in their careers. However, the earlier we immerse ourselves in policy matters, the more effectively we can cultivate the healthcare environment we will serve. Dual-degree programs furnish future doctors with the instruments necessary to tackle systemic challenges that current medical training may not adequately prepare them for.
When I meet a patient struggling to access care, I don’t solely focus on their diagnosis—I ponder:
– *What policies contributed to these obstacles?*
– *Who holds the influence to amend them?*
– *How can I leverage my skills to advocate for reform?*
These inquiries highlight the broader contributions physicians can make in transforming healthcare delivery.
## Shaping the Future of Medicine Through Dual Degrees
### Dual Degrees as a Catalyst for Systemic Transformation
Physicians inherently serve as advocates, but lacking knowledge in policy tends to render our voices inaudible in crucial decision-making arenas. Dual-degree programs empower us to champion systemic changes, making sure we don’t merely react to dysfunctions but actively engage in rectifying them.
For example