A matter of degree: the trend toward physician executives' pursuing master's degrees.

As the health care delivery system continues to change, there is certain to be an increasing demand for the services of physician executives. For the moment, potential employers seem to be seeking managers with solid physician credentials and proven management experience. But will the criteria remain at this level, or will employers demand more formal management credentials? And if the latter is likely, what credentials will best serve the physician executive in the employment marketplace? Those and other questions are explored in the following article through interviews with physician executives and recruiters.