What it really comes down to is that people want the letters "MD" in there somewhere.
You dont see anyone pushing for a change to "OP" (osteopathic physician) or something along those lines.
You have a case where people who couldnt get the MD degree want to get one after the fact.
Well guess what, its too late. You had the opportunity to get the MD degree and either by choice or by poor performance on the MCAT it didnt happen.
A name change wont add any validity to our profession nor will it clear up any percieved confusion.
What you have here is a group of osteopathic and pre-osteopathic students who are upset at the fact that they have to settle for a DO degree. Imagine that, someone settling for becoming a doctor.
But thats what you have.
You can cite all the off-the-wall examples you want about patients asking what a DO is and nonsense like that but I dont buy any of it.
If youre that self conscious about it, dont put the "DO" on your coat. Simply put "Dr. A. Shamed" instead.
I, for one, will proudly display "DO" on my coat, letterhead and business cards. I am not upset at the fact that I am graduating from a DO school. I am not worried that I will be treated like a second class physician. I dont sulk and put my head down when I am telling people where I go to school.
You have these people with raised voices saying "DO = MD...but lets change the name to reflect that". Well, if thats the case then youre more worried about your outward appearance than you are with your own knowledge and accomplishments.
Here you are, a fully licensed physician and the biggest thing you are concerned with is if some patient in a hospital bed is going to question the letters behind your name. God forbid you actually move past that, do your damn job and cure the patient. No...that doesnt matter...because as long as that person thinks you are equal to an MD, well nothing else matters.
**** that. I dont want to be an MD. I want to be a DO. Thats why I went to a DO school.
If youre not happy with your future degree then drop out now. I can guarantee there are people out there who would gladly "settle" for the chance to become a physician.