Document Detail


Estimating the value of medical education: a net present value approach.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20563942     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Estimating the value of a medical education is a difficult undertaking. Purpose: As student debt levels rise and the role of managed care in price-setting increases, the financial benefit of an MD degree comes into question.
METHODS: We developed a model using net present value (NPV) analysis for a range of annual costs of medical school attendance. Using this model, we determined the point at which pursuing a medical education is a "break-even" proposition from a financial perspective.
RESULTS: The NPV of a medical education was positive for all annual costs of attendance from $10,000 to $100,000 and ranged from approximately $39,000 to $674,000 depending on the discount rate. Assuming a discount rate of 8%, only at an annual cost of attendance of $139,805 was the NPV = $0, which represents the break-even cost of medical education for a prospective student.
CONCLUSIONS: Medical education is a financially advantageous undertaking for costs of attendance that far exceed even the most expensive schools in the United States. Our analysis suggests that based on economics, the supply of future physicians ought to be secure.
Authors:
Marc J Kahn; Edward F Nelling
Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Teaching and learning in medicine     Volume:  22     ISSN:  1532-8015     ISO Abbreviation:  Teach Learn Med     Publication Date:  2010 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-06-21     Completed Date:  2011-01-06     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8910884     Medline TA:  Teach Learn Med     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  205-8     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. mkahn@tulane.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Career Choice
Career Mobility*
Decision Making
Education, Medical / economics*,  statistics & numerical data
Educational Measurement
Educational Status
Humans
Income / statistics & numerical data*
Models, Economic
Schools, Medical / economics,  statistics & numerical data
Students, Medical / statistics & numerical data*
Training Support / economics*,  statistics & numerical data
United States

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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