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Abstract

Background: The number of Medical Doctor and Master of Business Administration (MD/MBA) dual degree programs has grown fivefold in the last two decades, reflecting an increased integration of business training in medical education. Despite this growth, the role and prevalence of MD/MBA degrees among ophthalmology residents remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose: To characterize trends in prevalence, demographics, and educational patterns of MD/MBA dual degree holders among U.S. ophthalmology residents who entered residency between 2013 and 2025.

Methods: Ophthalmology residents in the United States who entered residency between 2013 and 2025 (n = 5,684) were included, with 80 MD/MBA dual-degree holders identified. Residents were grouped into pre-COVID (≤2020) and post-COVID (≥2021) cohorts. Publicly available data were collected in June 2025 from residency program websites, LinkedIn, press releases, alumni databases, and the Internet Archive Wayback Machine. Variables included MD/MBA program type, MBA timing, fellowship training, practice setting, and sex. Statistical analyses were performed with significance defined as p < 0.05.

Results: Of the 5,684 residents, 80 (1.4%) held MD/MBA degrees. Pre-COVID, 38 MD/MBAs entered residency compared with 42 post-COVID. Pre-COVID, odds of holding an MD/MBA degree per year increased significantly (OR = 1.171; 95% CI, 1.012-1.368; p = 0.039) but showed no significant increase after the pandemic onset (OR = 0.893; 95% CI, 0.717-1.109; p = 0.309). Female representation among MD/MBA residents increased significantly post-COVID (OR = 1.672; 95% CI, 1.067-2.791; p = 0.033). Most residents completed the MBA before residency (pre-COVID, 89%; post-COVID, 95%), primarily in 5-year combined programs. Fellowship pursuit was common (pre-COVID, 74%; post-COVID, 83%), with retina, cornea, and oculoplastics as the most prevalent subspecialties. Practice data showed 50% of pre-COVID MD/MBAs entered private practice.

Conclusion: Our analysis of MD/MBA dual-degree trends among ophthalmology residents demonstrates a significant increase in the prevalence of MD/MBA residents pre-COVID, stabilization post-COVID, and a significant increase in the female representation of MD/MBAs post-COVID. Most MBAs were completed during medical school in combined programs. Fellowship and practice patterns highlight the dual degree’s applicability across academic and private career pathways

Received Date

09 Nov 2025

Revised Date

03 Mar 2026

Accepted Date

16 Apr 2026

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