Allergy/Immunology or Rheumatology for DO

[Darkskies]

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Hi everyone,

I'm currently a third year DO medical student who really enjoyed both microbiology and pathology during the didactic years. As such, I think I might be interested in Infectious Disease, Rheum, or Allergy/Immunology. I know Infectious Diseases is a noncompetitive fellowship but what would it take for a DO student to obtain a training spot in Allergy/Immunology or even Rheumatology? I realize the latter is also not necessarily that competitive. Please let me know. Thanks!

 

[ketosisevangelist]

Pediatric rheum is

 

[Darkskies]

Pediatric rheum is

I'm sorry. What did you mean to say here? Your post seems to have been cut off. Does anyone else have any advice as I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[IM2GI]

Rheum is much easier to get than Allergy. Many rheumatologists practice allergy as reimbursement rates are typically higher, and you can often get dual certified.

 

[bronx43]

Rheum is much easier to get than Allergy. Many rheumatologists practice allergy as reimbursement rates are typically higher, and you can often get dual certified.

I've never seen a rheumatologist do allergy testing or give allergy shots. Many carriers won't even reimburse unless you're board certified in A&I nowadays.

 

[ketosisevangelist]

I'm sorry. What did you mean to say here? Your post seems to have been cut off. Does anyone else have any advice as I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

It's okay. I forgive you.

 

[drfunktacular]

Rheum is not that competitive (except at JHU, MGH, the usual places). Some rheum fellowships offer dual-tracks with A/I but these tend to be fairly competitive, and most people end up practicing either rheum or A/I as they are very different in actual practice, so I question their usefulness unless you have a specific immunology-based rheumatology research career in mind. I personally considered both but found A/I extremely boring on a day-to-day basis. Rheum offers much more patient variety and (to me, anyway) interesting pathology. There aren't a ton of DO's in rheumatology but I think it's actually a good fit, as because of their OMM training, DO's tend to have more interest and skill in evaluating soft-tissue complaints, which end up accounting for a lot of rheumatologist visits.