One more option for Canadians

That's a nice sweeping generalization there, Shinken. You couldn't possibly be referring to the Int'l forum thread on MD v DO in foreign countries, eh?

Originally posted by Shinken
A while back there was a rather useless thread where people kept bashing the American Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (D.O.). The comments were mainly because of ignorance of the profession, especially from people outside the US.

I happened to mention that someone with a D.O. degree could practice medicine in Ontario and people essentially laughed at me and told me no way. At the time I couldn't find proof, but finally the AOA website has re-posted the Canadian practice information. (see www.aoa.net)

There are three ways that a Canadian that studies in the US and gets a D.O. can have full practice rights in Ontario (and yes, that's the entire province, not the "cold" parts where nobody wants to go to).

Just one more option for Canadians that live and wish to practice medicine in Ontario.

Click to expand...

Can you provide the link to the exact page where this information is?

Here ya go!


No, no, don't thank me.

Well it looks pretty legit; but if you read the document the process applies equally well to Foreign trained MDs as well as DOs. It doesn't address the issue of whether DOs are allowed to enter the first round of CaRMS or not...and if they aren't then what's the advantage of getting a DO?

You will still be discriminated by patients...and at the end of the day they are your bread and butter. If they don't understand what you do or have a problem with the DO designation; then you may have some serious problems.

The fact of the matter is that DOs aren't as well respected in Canada as they are in the US. In fact the average Canadian wouldn't even know they exist.

So while this may seem like a good option it would be something you would have to think very long and hard about before going that route.

There is no argument that DO's aren't as well known in Canada as they are in the USA. I can tell you this, though, as a fourth year DO student who has rotated with a DO in Canada.
He is a family doctor who also does OMT. His family practice business is full (like all family doctors in Canada). His new patients are strictly manipulation. He is treated as a specialist in musculoskeletal medicine and lectures at the U of Calgary.
I believe the opportunities for osteopathic family doctors in Canada are excellent. Specialities are a little harder, I would do more research if that is your goal.
Once you take the three parts of the Canadian licensing exam and finish your residency, you can practice in Canada no problem.

Now the negative:
- you need to take the MCC Evaluating Exam, which American MD students do not have to take (FMG's have to as well).
- you cannot enter the first iteration of the Canadian match. Hopefully we can change this eventually. I don't think there is much of a demand for it, though.
- DO schools are expensive!

I do think it is a much better idea to go to a DO school in the US rather than overseas if you are a Canadian. The reason being that you will most likely do your residency in the US and it is much easier being a graduate of a US school to get an H1B visa. You can extend your F1 (student) visa during your internship year, makes programs alot more comfortable. A little easier to get a competitive residency.
Send me a message if you have any questions. The more DO's in Canada the better.

Clue, it looks like you've rotated with Dr. Findlay in Calgary, is that right? If so, how was it? I'm currently an MS-II at AZCOM, and I'm toying with the idea of practicing in Alberta. My wife is from the Lethbridge area, and I was born (but not raised in Southern Alberta). I've emailed Dr. Findlay a few times for advice and insight about osteopathic medicine in Canada.

Anyway, from what I can gather, I'm sure there's tons of ignorance and endless misconceptions about DO's in Canada, but I can't help but wonder what an awesome opportunity it could be and a special niche of the market. I think, after you've established yourself and word got around, people would begin to recognize your capabilities and possibly view your additional OMT skills as something special.

What was your experience like shadowing in Canada? How receptive were the patients to OMT? How receptive were the students & faculty at the UofC? Have you thought about practicing in Alberta, and if so, what are your thoughts? Is it appealing, despite the setbacks and the health care system? Anyway, hope to hear from you soon. Sorry about the million questions. Best of luck on rotations!

I'm not a DO student or anything, but when I was applying to med school 2 and a half years ago, I asked my family doc in Canada about DOs and he thought they were akin to chiropractors or something. He was pretty ignorant. My guess is that most people in Canada are like that... so not to discourage you or anything but if you feel like you have to explain your degree in the US, it'll probably be a lot worse in Canada.