Help, I don't want to do primary care!

[ScFm546]

I find myself unable to find a few stats and I was wondering if anyone here might have some advice. I want to go DO, however, the only thing holding me back is that I don't really want to do primary care/ geriatrics. I’ve been shadowing/ volunteering in an ER near my college for the last four years and I know without any doubt that that’s what I want to do. Now, I know you can do any specialty as a DO, however, it seems like all the schools put a big push on primary care. My question is, what are some of the better DO schools in regards to making doctors who don’t practice in a typical DO setting? I’ve been considering schools like PCOM, PCOM Georgia branch, and MSUCOM. Another thing I’m worried about is residency. How hard will it be for me to find residencies in a field outside of primary care? Will I have to be the top person in my class to get what I want?

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[USArmyDoc]

I find myself unable to find a few stats and I was wondering if anyone here might have some advice. I want to go DO, however, the only thing holding me back is that I don't really want to do primary care/ geriatrics. I’ve been shadowing/ volunteering in an ER near my college for the last four years and I know without any doubt that that’s what I want to do. Now, I know you can do any specialty as a DO, however, it seems like all the schools put a big push on primary care. My question is, what are some of the better DO schools in regards to making doctors who don’t practice in a typical DO setting? I’ve been considering schools like PCOM, PCOM Georgia branch, and MSUCOM. Another thing I’m worried about is residency. How hard will it be for me to find residencies in a field outside of primary care? Will I have to be the top person in my class to get what I want?

From what I have been told, probably PCOM and NYCOM are your best bet. I really can't site any support evidence so take what I say with a grain of salt.

 

[myleghurts]

I find myself unable to find a few stats and I was wondering if anyone here might have some advice. I want to go DO, however, the only thing holding me back is that I don't really want to do primary care/ geriatrics. I’ve been shadowing/ volunteering in an ER near my college for the last four years and I know without any doubt that that’s what I want to do. Now, I know you can do any specialty as a DO, however, it seems like all the schools put a big push on primary care. My question is, what are some of the better DO schools in regards to making doctors who don’t practice in a typical DO setting? I’ve been considering schools like PCOM, PCOM Georgia branch, and MSUCOM. Another thing I’m worried about is residency. How hard will it be for me to find residencies in a field outside of primary care? Will I have to be the top person in my class to get what I want?

Just get your GPA up and get a good MCAT score and apply MD if you want to specialize. The DO philosphy of being "holistic" is stupid if you want to specialize. I don't see a "holistic" approach to radiology and neither should you.

 

[MaximusD]

Bull****. EM is very common among DOs... check ANY matchlist from ANY DO school. The misinformation on these forums is disgusting.

 

[docem]

Just get your GPA up and get a good MCAT score and apply MD if you want to specialize. The DO philosphy of being "holistic" is stupid if you want to specialize. I don't see a "holistic" approach to radiology and neither should you.

If EM is what you really want to do, my understanding is that there are many DO and MD residencies that accept DOs. I currently work for a very competative MD EM residency and they have yet to accept a DO, but there are several DOs on the faculty and the director of trauma surgery is a DO. I disagree...Having a holistic approach to EM is really imporant as you are often dealing with many psycho-social issues with patients who present to emergency rooms.

 

[Taus]

without getting into a pissing contests of DO's can do this and can't do that....look at match lists of various schools and see the #'s for yourself.

My school had 17, yes read that again.....seven-teen matches into EM last year

Also, as per the chart in Isersons books, around 10% of all EM residents are DO's.....considering that we are only 5% of all US physicians.....10% in any one specialty is an over-representation


If not being in primary care is a huge concern of yours then the usnews listing of schools in order how how many go into primary care could be helpful. Don't forget that more then half the internal medicine matches won't end up being primary care as many seek things like Cardio, GI, etc.

 

[Kuba]

EM is very popular among DOs. That is what I want to do too. You can also make the argument that EM is primary care. After all, you are the primary care physician for a large demographic if you work in an urban area.

 

[MJB]

In KS, EM is considered primary care.

 

[Kuba]

In KS, EM is considered primary care.

I heard OK too

 

[myleghurts]

If EM is what you really want to do, my understanding is that there are many DO and MD residencies that accept DOs. I currently work for a very competative MD EM residency and they have yet to accept a DO, but there are several DOs on the faculty and the director of trauma surgery is a DO. I disagree...Having a holistic approach to EM is really imporant as you are often dealing with many psycho-social issues with patients who present to emergency rooms.

The OP said nothing about EM. The OP just said they wanted to specialize. Now you guys are saying EM is specializing but is also primary care? Get your story straight. Seriously... get a clue... no one from LECOM or NSU goes to Harvard or JHU for their residency. But I'm sure you'll find one person who did to refute me.

 

[Taus]

I've been shadowing/ volunteering in an ER near my college for the last four years and I know without any doubt that that's what I want to do.

my leg...he did indeed ask about EM

Also, the majority of Docs in this country (MD and DO) in those specialties that are considered competative did not complete their residencies at harvard, hopkins and the likes..

 

[myleghurts]

my leg...he did indeed ask about EM

Also, the majority of Docs in this country (MD and DO) in those specialties that are considered competative did not complete their residencies at harvard, hopkins and the likes..

nm.. didn't read fully enough. I just though he voluneered there.

 

[lainy105]

DOs definitely favor the holistic approach to medicine, but it doesn't mean you can't specialize. i even said at one of my interviews that EM is something i am considering, as is oncology, and i got in. they understand that in the long run we just want to be physicians, and while 60% of DO's go into primary care, 40% specialize, so it's ok, you'll be totally fine! Good luck!!

I find myself unable to find a few stats and I was wondering if anyone here might have some advice. I want to go DO, however, the only thing holding me back is that I don't really want to do primary care/ geriatrics. I’ve been shadowing/ volunteering in an ER near my college for the last four years and I know without any doubt that that’s what I want to do. Now, I know you can do any specialty as a DO, however, it seems like all the schools put a big push on primary care. My question is, what are some of the better DO schools in regards to making doctors who don’t practice in a typical DO setting? I’ve been considering schools like PCOM, PCOM Georgia branch, and MSUCOM. Another thing I’m worried about is residency. How hard will it be for me to find residencies in a field outside of primary care? Will I have to be the top person in my class to get what I want?

 

[Kuba]

The OP said nothing about EM. The OP just said they wanted to specialize. Now you guys are saying EM is specializing but is also primary care? Get your story straight. Seriously... get a clue... no one from LECOM or NSU goes to Harvard or JHU for their residency. But I'm sure you'll find one person who did to refute me.

did you just post that to start an argument? Get a life.

 

[myleghurts]

did you just post that to start an argument? Get a life.

That's not really an argument. That is a fact. You need to learn to differentiate the two.

 

[Kuba]

That's not really an argument. That is a fact. You need to learn to differentiate the two.

Sure, it may be true. But it was not very relevant. You were just trying to instigate something. Btw, would you want to do a residency in Harvard necessarily? Unless you want to be a hot shot academic doc, I believe there are many much more important factors than the reputation of a school when choosing a residency. A med student can correct me if I am wrong.

 

[myleghurts]

Sure, it may be true. But it was not very relevant. You were just trying to instigate something. Btw, would you want to do a residency in Harvard necessarily? Unless you want to be a hot shot academic doc, I believe there are many much more important factors than the reputation of a school when choosing a residency. A med student can correct me if I am wrong.

Important factors like where you can actually get in?

 

[Kuba]

Important factors like where you can actually get in?

huh? I feel like you are still trying to start a fight?
Do you know anything about ranking residencies? I admit I have only done minimal research, but I have done some and what I found is that going to a Harvard for the sake its a Harvard program is a big factor in peoples heads.

 

[myleghurts]

huh? I feel like you are still trying to start a fight?
Do you know anything about ranking residencies? I admit I have only done minimal research, but I have done some and what I found is that going to a Harvard for the sake its a Harvard program is a big factor in peoples heads.

DOs and MDs are equal.

 

[AustinFinklea]

Dudes, get it through your heads: there are many that go DO because it is medical school and they can specialize in anything they want (if they work hard towards it, which you would have to do even if at an allo med school). The idea of a holistic approach to medicine doesnt entail "ONLY" primary care. Look on DO-online.com and look how many freakin DO docs are specialists: a whole crap load of them. Knock off this crap telling perspective DO med students that they should apply MD if they want to specialize. Start getting your facts straight. My brother, Travis, is a second year surgical resident in Cleveland. Its one of many, many AOA surgical residencies.

 

[AustinFinklea]

That dude, MYLEGHURTS is a freakin wanker.

 

[Kuba]

Dudes, get it through your heads: there are many that go DO because it is medical school and they can specialize in anything they want (if they work hard towards it, which you would have to do even if at an allo med school). The idea of a holistic approach to medicine doesnt entail "ONLY" primary care. Look on DO-online.com and look how many freakin DO docs are specialist: a whole crap load of them. Knock off this crap telling perspective DO med students that they should apply MD if they want to specialize. Start getting your facts straight. My brother, Travis, is a second year surgical resident in Cleveland. Its one of many, many AOA surgical residencies.

very true. I dont think anyone here has said that is not true. myleghurts dude just seems to be throwing out random phrases...

 

[Nate]

Please refrain from personal attacks

 

[AustinFinklea]

Please refrain from personal attacks

Yo Bro, youre right, my deepest apologies

 

[myleghurts]

Yo Bro, youre right, my deepest apologies

I believe I am the one you should be apologizing too.

 

[MaximusD]

TROLL VISION

Nate, please BAN My Leg Hurts ..thanks

 

[chaeymaey]

There are plenty of DO students who specialize. Last year TCOM had students match in tons of specialties, including ophthalmology and orthopedic surgery at MD residencies. In order to get in those competitive residencies, though, you'll have to be at the top of your class and rock the boards. It's more about you than the school that you go to.

 

[dr.kicia]

this thread is rediculous...
DOs can specialize in whatever they want...if you really want it you can get.

For the heck of it here is some specialist DOs in NY (you can get data from any other state too). You can do a search yourself....it even tells you when you click on their name what school and what year did they graduate.
and there are plenty of ppl who graduate recently and still are what they wanted to be.
If they can do it then you can do it too....all you need is to want it.
http://www.osteopathic.org/dir_search_results.cfm

 

[noshie]

Why has everyone been so hostile lately? It seems like every thread ends up being a fight. I know this is a stressful time for everyone but you guys need to be more cheerful, its almost Christmas, the semester is almost over, and this cycle is almost over (thankfully, sort of).


So turn that frown upside down !!!!!

 

[Cat48100]

The OP said nothing about EM. The OP just said they wanted to specialize. Now you guys are saying EM is specializing but is also primary care? Get your story straight. Seriously... get a clue... no one from LECOM or NSU goes to Harvard or JHU for their residency. But I'm sure you'll find one person who did to refute me.

Ok hot shot, there has been DO's from UMDNJ who have gotten into JHU AND Harvard. I don't know about the other schools because I frankly haven't looked. Just because you are a DO doesn't mean you can't get into anything competitive. Unless you are some brainy person who is in a top med school with the top grades who will get into a top residency, you can't diss DOs because more than likely, you couldn't get into Harvard or JHU either. so

 

[armykilo]

DOs definitely favor the holistic approach to medicine, but it doesn't mean you can't specialize. i even said at one of my interviews that EM is something i am considering, as is oncology, and i got in. they understand that in the long run we just want to be physicians, and while 60% of DO's go into primary care, 40% specialize, so it's ok, you'll be totally fine! Good luck!!

I got in and my app had Pathology all over it. You can find a way.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

TROLL VISION

Nate, please BAN My Leg Hurts ..thanks

If not a troll, he's still engaging in DO bashing.

 

[Ema]

No comment. Didn't you guys know that DO can't specialize? Take MD route if you don't wanna be in the primary care.

I mean common already!!!
I am sick of these threads. Every day there is a thread open with this question: Can a DO do this or that?? Simply enough, if you dont know what DO can or can't do, and what's DO all about (there is nothing that they can't do) then why are you applying there??? You can't get into an MD program or what? I can bet that half of those people who ask this question "Ah poor me I don't want to end up doing primary care, do u think I can specialize?" wrote in their secondary how they want to be in the the primary care.

What's even more sad, there are people who are going DO route and they get really offended and feel like they have to explain and prove that they are > or = to MD"s. I think that these threads should be banned from its start. There are QA section, look for answers there!!

And just as side note: Yes as a DO can specialize in anything they want, you just need to score well on boards and have good grades.!!! Lets put end to these threads please!

 

[DropkickMurphy]

I'm certainly not going to say in my PS that I don't want to do primary care, but I do plan to play up my intention to work in a smaller more rural facility- but that has more to do with wanting to run the ICU or ER on my own terms than anything to do with serving an underserved population.

 

[bkpa2med]

I'm certainly not going to say in my PS that I don't want to do primary care, but I do plan to play up my intention to work in a smaller more rural facility- but that has more to do with wanting to run the ICU or ER on my own terms than anything to do with serving an underserved population.

Dropkick,
You got some funny shirts on that site lol

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Feel free to suggest any new ideas you want to see on a shirt....and feel free to buy some....all the funds are going to help pay for the equipment I'm taking along to donate to the hospital in Nepal.

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

Seriously... get a clue... no one from LECOM or NSU goes to Harvard or JHU for their residency.

Not true.

Graduates from DO schools have matched at JHU, Yale, Dartmouth, Vanderbilt, and Mayo. Check the matchlists -- most of those were from NSU.

But yes, not Harvard.

If scoring a residency at Harvard is your driving goal in life
really the only med school you can apply to is...
well...
Harvard.

 

[snrub]

Not true.

Graduates from DO schools have matched at JHU, Yale, Dartmouth, Vanderbilt, and Mayo. Check the matchlists -- most of those were from NSU.

But yes, not Harvard.

If scoring a residency at Harvard is your driving goal in life
really the only med school you can apply to is...
well...
Harvard.

I do have an issue with this, that I've mentioned in other threads.

The JHU/Yale matches (Sinai for JHU, Bridgeport Hospital for Yale)are at affiliated residency programs, not the main campus programs. They aren't anywhere nearly as competitive as if you placed at the main programs.

The Mayo match was FP, if I'm not mistaken, so everything with a grain of salt.

The Vanderbilt match was in general surgery; that I have to say was impressive, along with the Tulane match in orthopaedic surgery.

 

[myleghurts]

I do have an issue with this, that I've mentioned in other threads.

The JHU/Yale matches (Sinai for JHU, Bridgeport Hospital for Yale)are at affiliated residency programs, not the main campus programs. They aren't anywhere nearly as competitive as if you placed at the main programs.

The Mayo match was FP, if I'm not mistaken, so everything with a grain of salt.

The Vanderbilt match was in general surgery; that I have to say was impressive, along with the Tulane match in orthopaedic surgery.

Finally some common sense.

 

[MossPoh]

Ok hot shot, there has been DO's from UMDNJ who have gotten into JHU AND Harvard. I don't know about the other schools because I frankly haven't looked. Just because you are a DO doesn't mean you can't get into anything competitive. Unless you are some brainy person who is in a top med school with the top grades who will get into a top residency, you can't diss DOs because more than likely, you couldn't get into Harvard or JHU either. so

People don't seem to acknowledge that there are mediochre residencies affiliated with harvard and the like...........Not everyone is at MGH and some of the other programs aren't even that super suppossedly...

 

[Bluemirage]

Not true.

Graduates from DO schools have matched at JHU, Yale, Dartmouth, Vanderbilt, and Mayo. Check the matchlists -- most of those were from NSU.

But yes, not Harvard.

If scoring a residency at Harvard is your driving goal in life
really the only med school you can apply to is...
well...
Harvard.

There are numerous DO people that matched into Harvard for Physical Medicine and Rehab at Spaulding. Haven't seen any for other specialties though.

 

[Tiagao]

I like chicken and bacon on my pizza.

 

[DrMom]

I like chicken and bacon on my pizza.

yum.

 

[Kuba]

Buffalo chicken pizza is the best

 

[Dr.Inviz]

i love pesto crust pizza with black olive toppings.

 

[Kuba]

i love pesto crust pizza with black olive toppings.

pesto! yum!