At first glance, a master’s in business administration (MBA) may seem completely contrary to the altruistic goals of neurosurgery. Such was my prejudice, and one that I held since I embarked on a career in medicine over 20 years ago. And yet, with the changing landscape of medicine, I completed an MBA. What once I would have never considered, I had now completed. Why?
The past, present, and likely future of neurosurgery resonates the theme of constant evolution. As an organized specialty not much more than 100 years old, we have made dramatic strides in advancing patient care and, in many arenas, have truly lead its evolution. As we have done this, neurosurgery has become multidimensional. A crucial dimension is the business aspect, which is given only limited exposure during our training. Yet it is the business aspect, in an era of limited financial resources, that most threatens the continued evolution of neurosurgery. According to the Office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, healthcare costs will rise from $3.5 trillion in 2015 to $5.5 trillion by 2025. Delivering quality care while controlling costs is truly a necessary mandate.
