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Hey everyone, I thought all those who are researching schools could use some posts regarding why we have chosen KCUMB. I will start with a question I answered for someone recently:
Quote:
Originally Posted by #####
Hi, I saw your posts a couple of times on the KCUMB forum and was wondering if you mind sharing why you've decided to attend the school. I'm pretty interested in this school but I've heard some controversies regarding osteopathic schools. I saw that you have high stats, did you apply to any MD schools or are you only interested in DO schools?
I hope you don't mind the questions.
Thanks,
###
###,
Here is a long-winded response to your question:
Why KCUMB?
First, the Curriculum seems well designed and intuitive for learning all aspects of the human body and associated pathologies. From what I can tell, the curriculum has a lot of opportunity for independent learning. This attracts me since I would rather not spend 8 hours a day in a classroom. Furthermore, many students feel they do not need to attend all lectures. Although not technically allowed, I think this is a valuable option for those who are more efficient at learning on their own . Conversely, KCUMB provides the students with printouts of all lecture notes, as well as video and audio recording for most so you never have to miss a class. I think having these amenities will go far in being successful through medical school. From my interview, I saw that the lecture halls, anatomy lab, and OMT lab were well equipped, as were all the buildings. As far as technology goes, it appears that KCUMB wants to break a record for the number of huge LCD flat screens on campus. There are more TVs and blue ray players than paintings. KCUMB also utilizes a centralized online system (blackboard) for faculty and students.
Second, KCUMB has a solid research base. Students have ample opportunities to participate in research activities, or to just learn research methodologies through coursework. I find it incredibly important for a student doctor to be well versed in the world of research since this will ensure you stay up to date as a practicing physician. Furthermore, if you want to work in academics or at a university hospital, being up to date on the current literature, as well as knowledgeable of how research is done, is invaluable.
Third, KCUMB graduates have high success rates matching into good residencies. Students also have good passing rates on board exams. At this point I plan on taking both the COMLEX and USMLE since I want to attend a specific surgery residency at an ACGME institution, and having USMLE scores will ensure that I am compared equally to MD graduates. KCUMB also provides ample dedicated study time (about seven weeks) for board exams which is fantastic.
Now for your question regarding DO vs MD:
For a basic comparison of the two professions, search MD vs DO through Wikipedia.
Up until last year I was only going to become an MD. Through attending DO awareness nights, doing lots of school research, and shadowing Osteopathic physicians I learned that either route will make me a great physician.
I became more interested in DO schools for a couple of reasons. I think the additional training in Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy, or OMT, gives students another layer of understanding of human structure and function, not to mention additional skills to add to your repertoire of patient exam abilities. If you have never seen a primary care DO do a physical exam, I recommend you do. They are very thorough and confident in working up a patient. Also, from what I have heard, and this comes from a physician at an MD school, when osteopathic students (KCUMB) go on to clerkship rotations they are found to be more competent and confident compared to their MD colleagues (take this with a grain of salt since this is opinion based). Throughout the pre-clinical years, a DO student is making a lot of physical contact with many people, which really helps you get close to your patients.
I will admit, when I first learned about OMT, my skeptic alarms went off. After I observed a bunch of manipulations, however, I began to appreciate it's use. I believe part of the effect is placebo, but I know a lot of manipulations have physiological benefit and have an evidence base, especially in regards to pain from skeletal/muscular sources (back pain). DOs do not use OMT instead of pharmacology. There is no hippie, homeopathic, or energy BS interwoven into the reasoning. If your gall bladder needs to be removed, OMT will not prevent that. OMT is an ADDITIONAL tool available to a DO physician, should they choose to utilize it. One bonus of training as a DO is your ability to treat friends and family after the first week of medical school with the OMT techniques you learn, not officially of course. As an MD student, this will not be available to you.
The only way I will consider not be attending KCUMB is if I get accepted to my state institution (MD), which will not be an easy decision. It will not be due to academics but because staying in Oregon would keep me closer to my family. Also, as I said earlier, I want to do my residency here.
With that said, I would not go to any school just because I would be granted an MD after my name. I think the only things going for MD programs and not DO, is the close affiliation with Veteran's hospitals, and the fact MD programs (and physicians) are the majority. Really the later is the only one with implications, and only if it matters to you. As a DO, there is a possibility that you may need to someday defend your qualifications (which is rare now) to ACGME directors or crotchety, old MDs from the early days. Some MDs may say DOs are not as qualified, or that OMT is as beneficial to a patient as acupuncture. Similarly, some DOs, (especially the AOA) will say that MDs are not as humanistic, and that DOs have a more "patient-centered" approach. Both of these claims are unfounded. The MD claim is based on a lack of knowledge, while the DO claim is based on the desire for the Osteopathic profession to remain distinct from the MD. Historically, MD programs were not that patient centered but more paternalistic, but this has more or less dissolved since patient autonomy has developed as a right respected by clinicians.
I will tell you that you should attend a school that fits you and gives you a good feeling about how you will be treated as a student. Like I said, either profession will provide you with the resources to become an excellent physician. When you are choosing schools, and interviewing, be very observant and realize that you will be paying the school, and they are in competition with other schools for your money (and you of course). I recommend you question programs that do not show you everything about the school, good and bad. My state school for instance did not show us the classrooms or the anatomy lab! Before I go to a school that will cost me tons of money, I want to know how I will be treated, where I would be spending most of my day, and where my tuition dollars go. As far as applying, I have in every way enjoyed myself more when interacting with DO schools compared to MD schools (application process, contact with admissions staff, interviews, followup). In my opinion, this is probably due to an MD program having no shortage of qualified applicants who would do almost ANYTHING to get in, just because it is medical school. In contrast, many DO schools need to sell themselves more to attract some (not all) well qualified applicants. Perhaps due in part to the misunderstanding that DO schools are somehow less prestigious or effective in training.
My advice to you, should you want it, is to be open to the Osteopathic profession. However, choose a school based on the resources available to you, quality (and evidence of effectiveness) of the curriculum, and whether the school is a good "fit". When you are interviewing, know that you being interviewed means that you made the cut on paper. Be yourself and be confident; ultimately it is your choice (not the school) that determines where you go.
Good luck
Jeremiah
Quote:
Originally Posted by #####
Hi, I saw your posts a couple of times on the KCUMB forum and was wondering if you mind sharing why you've decided to attend the school. I'm pretty interested in this school but I've heard some controversies regarding osteopathic schools. I saw that you have high stats, did you apply to any MD schools or are you only interested in DO schools?
I hope you don't mind the questions.
Thanks,
###
###,
Here is a long-winded response to your question:
Why KCUMB?
First, the Curriculum seems well designed and intuitive for learning all aspects of the human body and associated pathologies. From what I can tell, the curriculum has a lot of opportunity for independent learning. This attracts me since I would rather not spend 8 hours a day in a classroom. Furthermore, many students feel they do not need to attend all lectures. Although not technically allowed, I think this is a valuable option for those who are more efficient at learning on their own . Conversely, KCUMB provides the students with printouts of all lecture notes, as well as video and audio recording for most so you never have to miss a class. I think having these amenities will go far in being successful through medical school. From my interview, I saw that the lecture halls, anatomy lab, and OMT lab were well equipped, as were all the buildings. As far as technology goes, it appears that KCUMB wants to break a record for the number of huge LCD flat screens on campus. There are more TVs and blue ray players than paintings. KCUMB also utilizes a centralized online system (blackboard) for faculty and students.
Second, KCUMB has a solid research base. Students have ample opportunities to participate in research activities, or to just learn research methodologies through coursework. I find it incredibly important for a student doctor to be well versed in the world of research since this will ensure you stay up to date as a practicing physician. Furthermore, if you want to work in academics or at a university hospital, being up to date on the current literature, as well as knowledgeable of how research is done, is invaluable.
Third, KCUMB graduates have high success rates matching into good residencies. Students also have good passing rates on board exams. At this point I plan on taking both the COMLEX and USMLE since I want to attend a specific surgery residency at an ACGME institution, and having USMLE scores will ensure that I am compared equally to MD graduates. KCUMB also provides ample dedicated study time (about seven weeks) for board exams which is fantastic.
Now for your question regarding DO vs MD:
For a basic comparison of the two professions, search MD vs DO through Wikipedia.
Up until last year I was only going to become an MD. Through attending DO awareness nights, doing lots of school research, and shadowing Osteopathic physicians I learned that either route will make me a great physician.
I became more interested in DO schools for a couple of reasons. I think the additional training in Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy, or OMT, gives students another layer of understanding of human structure and function, not to mention additional skills to add to your repertoire of patient exam abilities. If you have never seen a primary care DO do a physical exam, I recommend you do. They are very thorough and confident in working up a patient. Also, from what I have heard, and this comes from a physician at an MD school, when osteopathic students (KCUMB) go on to clerkship rotations they are found to be more competent and confident compared to their MD colleagues (take this with a grain of salt since this is opinion based). Throughout the pre-clinical years, a DO student is making a lot of physical contact with many people, which really helps you get close to your patients.
I will admit, when I first learned about OMT, my skeptic alarms went off. After I observed a bunch of manipulations, however, I began to appreciate it's use. I believe part of the effect is placebo, but I know a lot of manipulations have physiological benefit and have an evidence base, especially in regards to pain from skeletal/muscular sources (back pain). DOs do not use OMT instead of pharmacology. There is no hippie, homeopathic, or energy BS interwoven into the reasoning. If your gall bladder needs to be removed, OMT will not prevent that. OMT is an ADDITIONAL tool available to a DO physician, should they choose to utilize it. One bonus of training as a DO is your ability to treat friends and family after the first week of medical school with the OMT techniques you learn, not officially of course. As an MD student, this will not be available to you.
The only way I will consider not be attending KCUMB is if I get accepted to my state institution (MD), which will not be an easy decision. It will not be due to academics but because staying in Oregon would keep me closer to my family. Also, as I said earlier, I want to do my residency here.
With that said, I would not go to any school just because I would be granted an MD after my name. I think the only things going for MD programs and not DO, is the close affiliation with Veteran's hospitals, and the fact MD programs (and physicians) are the majority. Really the later is the only one with implications, and only if it matters to you. As a DO, there is a possibility that you may need to someday defend your qualifications (which is rare now) to ACGME directors or crotchety, old MDs from the early days. Some MDs may say DOs are not as qualified, or that OMT is as beneficial to a patient as acupuncture. Similarly, some DOs, (especially the AOA) will say that MDs are not as humanistic, and that DOs have a more "patient-centered" approach. Both of these claims are unfounded. The MD claim is based on a lack of knowledge, while the DO claim is based on the desire for the Osteopathic profession to remain distinct from the MD. Historically, MD programs were not that patient centered but more paternalistic, but this has more or less dissolved since patient autonomy has developed as a right respected by clinicians.
I will tell you that you should attend a school that fits you and gives you a good feeling about how you will be treated as a student. Like I said, either profession will provide you with the resources to become an excellent physician. When you are choosing schools, and interviewing, be very observant and realize that you will be paying the school, and they are in competition with other schools for your money (and you of course). I recommend you question programs that do not show you everything about the school, good and bad. My state school for instance did not show us the classrooms or the anatomy lab! Before I go to a school that will cost me tons of money, I want to know how I will be treated, where I would be spending most of my day, and where my tuition dollars go. As far as applying, I have in every way enjoyed myself more when interacting with DO schools compared to MD schools (application process, contact with admissions staff, interviews, followup). In my opinion, this is probably due to an MD program having no shortage of qualified applicants who would do almost ANYTHING to get in, just because it is medical school. In contrast, many DO schools need to sell themselves more to attract some (not all) well qualified applicants. Perhaps due in part to the misunderstanding that DO schools are somehow less prestigious or effective in training.
My advice to you, should you want it, is to be open to the Osteopathic profession. However, choose a school based on the resources available to you, quality (and evidence of effectiveness) of the curriculum, and whether the school is a good "fit". When you are interviewing, know that you being interviewed means that you made the cut on paper. Be yourself and be confident; ultimately it is your choice (not the school) that determines where you go.
Good luck
Jeremiah
...that's exciting! Yeah I hope there are plenty of resturants five to ten mins away from campus. Won't have time to cook with all this studying....or pbj sandwiches for the win
