Allopathic vs Osteopathic educational level

[pguin]

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I've been reading many articles on this and other websites citing the superior test results (USMLE) for allopathic students over osteopathic students. I'm trying to make sense of this data to decide which to choose (my heart says that DO is a better fit for me) but I keep coming back to a problem. Looking at the entrance stats for MD and DO programs, the average MD has approximately a .3 higher gpa and more importantly about 3 extra points on the MCAT. It seems that its unfair to compare the level of education offered at these schools because the students on average did not do as well academically. I would have to guess that its fair to say that if you took a entering class of allopathic and an entering class of osteopathic studets and placed them in the same school for 4 years that the allopathic students would have slightly better USMLE scores, even though they both received the same training.

I do not say this as an insult to osteopathic students in any way (there is much more that goes into a great physician then MCATS and gpa anyways). This actually makes me believe that the difference in the education provided in osteopathic and allopathic schools is much less then perceived. If I will recieve a more complete education in an allopathic school then I would ideally want to attend an MD program however, if the difference in quality of education available is insignificant then I feel DO school is a better fit for me if accepted to both.

I was wondering if anyone knows of any reports or studies which attempts to eliminate this effect ( perhaps by comparing MD and DO students who had similar entrance scores) so I can get a true representation of the difference?? I do understand that the philosophy of medicine is different for the two and this is probably a more important criteria but I am just sorta curious. Thx to anyone who who can dig up any data on this!

 

[NjD00]

I'm sorry but I really believe that this is a non-issue that you really shouldn't be worried about if you "feel" that one is for you. All schools, whether DO or MD, pick candidates that can and will become good physicians if they work at it. MD coursework often focus a bit deeper into the science while DO schools skim just a tad of that off while teaching a curriculum that focuses more on the philosophy of whole body and self healing, while also incorporating the important tool of OMM. I have heard that the USMLE delves a bit deeper into the actual science (and hence is geared toward the MD student), while, obviously, the COMLEX reflects more upon the principles and type of knowledge that is expected of a DO student.

I have actually heard that the COMLEX is much more difficult (obviously, since it includes science and OMM) for MD students than the USMLE is for DO students. Whether scores are higher for MD matriculants or not, this knowledge seems to implicate that DO schools are achieving their goal, and graduating competent physicians that are philosophically different from MDs, but equally competent in skill and knowledge.

 

[pguin]

I understand theres much more important issues and they are two different approaches to medicine. I was actually just more curious if anyones seen any data on this because I feel that osteopathic schools get wrongly accused by SOME people as providing an inferior education to allopathic. I don't think this is the case at all so just wondering if anyones seen studies on it.

 

[Testy McAterson]

if you're trying to start a flame war, i'm afraid you should have posted this on the pre-allo forum rather than the pre-osteo one...most of us here have better things to do with our time 😉 . if not (and i hope not), i'd suggest you search the forums, search google, ask students who have matriculated (as they could probably help you better than a bunch of premeds), etc. and, if you can't the results you want and this is that important to you, maybe you are wrong in believing you're meant to be osteo and you really should just stick to allopathic. we won't judge you either way.

 

[jkhamlin]

I understand theres much more important issues and they are two different approaches to medicine. I was actually just more curious if anyones seen any data on this because I feel that osteopathic schools get wrongly accused by SOME people as providing an inferior education to allopathic. I don't think this is the case at all so just wondering if anyones seen studies on it.

This is comparing apples to oranges in a big way. The curricula at all medical schools is, to a large extent, developed to teach toward the boards. Osteopathic schools teach for the COMLEX; allopathic schools teach for the USMLE. It's kind of like studying for the ACT vs studying for the SAT, both contain a lot of the same information, but but both are very different tests. If you study for one and take the other, you aren't maximizing your potential. This is obvious and no data is required to regress a prediction interval for you.

How's that?

10 bucks says this will degenerate into an MD vs DO thread in 24 more hours. 😀

 

[AmoryBlaine]

I'm sorry but I really believe that this is a non-issue that you really shouldn't be worried about if you "feel" that one is for you. All schools, whether DO or MD, pick candidates that can and will become good physicians if they work at it. MD coursework often focus a bit deeper into the science while DO schools skim just a tad of that off while teaching a curriculum that focuses more on the philosophy of whole body and self healing, while also incorporating the important tool of OMM. I have heard that the USMLE delves a bit deeper into the actual science (and hence is geared toward the MD student), while, obviously, the COMLEX reflects more upon the principles and type of knowledge that is expected of a DO student.

I have actually heard that the COMLEX is much more difficult (obviously, since it includes science and OMM) for MD students than the USMLE is for DO students. Whether scores are higher for MD matriculants or not, this knowledge seems to implicate that DO schools are achieving their goal, and graduating competent physicians that are philosophically different from MDs, but equally competent in skill and knowledge.

I've never heard of an MD student taking COMLEX...

 

[pguin]

This is comparing apples to oranges in a big way. The curricula at all medical schools is, to a large extent, developed to teach toward the boards. Osteopathic schools teach for the COMLEX; allopathic schools teach for the USMLE. It's kind of like studying for the ACT vs studying for the SAT, both contain a lot of the same information, but but both are very different tests.

I like the ACT/SAT analogy. I've read lots of articles attempting to justify one school of medicine over the other based solely on exam scores even though the difference in focus of allopathic and osteopathic seems to make these arguments useless. So I was just wondering if anyone had come up with a better way of comparing other then just looking at board scores or just taking someones opinion on it. Definately not trying to start a DO/MD argument...it just seemed interesting.

 

[DragonWell]

If you want to learn OMM, go DO. If you just want to learn medicine, go where ever's cheapest. I wouldn't pay too much attention to statistics - they really don't tell you anything about how YOU will do. In med school as in anything else, you get out what you put in, whether MD or DO. Just my $.02.

If statistics were always true, this thread should have already turned into a flame war by now. 😀

 

[xTinaBna]

I like the ACT/SAT analogy. I've read lots of articles attempting to justify one school of medicine over the other based solely on exam scores even though the difference in focus of allopathic and osteopathic seems to make these arguments useless. So I was just wondering if anyone had come up with a better way of comparing other then just looking at board scores or just taking someones opinion on it. Definately not trying to start a DO/MD argument...it just seemed interesting.

i understand what you mean completely..and i dont' think u're trying to start a flame war 🙂 i guess unless schools start making individual med student data about their scores/accomplishments/grades to the public, we'll just never know. all schools do publish are gpa's and mcats which is why schools are often compared to each other so competitively. intuitively, DO students are trained for the COMPLEX, MD for the USMLE...as you said, its like training for the ACT and then taking the SAT...they are equal predictors but much different tests. i'm confident that any DO student with adequate preparation can do well on the USMLE. as for now, there is just no studies or actual proof of individual performance on the usmle's by DO students...maybe you can conduct a study 🙂

 

[Krazykritter]

Chances are that there will NOT be any studies looking at DO students' scores on the USMLE. The simple reason is that students do not have to release these scores to their school. It is an optional test that you may or may not choose to take & may or may not choose to include in your ERAS application.

Oh yeah, & COMLEX being harder than USMLE...hahahaha. COMLEX tends to have lots of buzzwords. USMLE focuses much more on Pathophys & Pathology in general. OMM being included on COMLEX should be a score booster section if you learn the tricks while in years I & II.

 

[Nickelpennykid]

The misinformation here is getting out of control by some of you. MD students are not allowed to take COMLEX. DO schools do not skim a little off of the sciences, it is the same. In fact, schools like Mich. have thier MD and DO MS1 and MS2 take classes together. Many profs teach at both MD and DO schools and the lectures are the same. Also, there are lots of studies on DO performance on the USMLE and yes, they do worse than MD studentds, which is often atributed to the fact that the test is different and students don't explicitly prepare for it in DO schools. The studies can be found on the home site for the USMLE, if you care to look them up. Please look up information before offering advice to potential pre-osteo's.

 

[czanetti]

It is insignifigant you should know being a student and taking the MCAT or any other test it really doens't matter what "school" you go to harvard or State school you are the one studying for the test and you can get just as good if not better grades/scores than anyone if you put the time into it and if you are intelligent. Like you said before you pointed out factors of avg matriculant stats being slightly different at this is true but you also must realize that they are averages there are allo students that get below the average and there are osteo students that are above the average. It is reallyd dependent on the individual. For instance there are plenty of Medical students from Osteopathic schools that have matched in a prestigous residency program. (ex Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins... ) The head of Internal medicine at Johns Hopkins is an Osteopathic physician, the last surgeon general was an Osteopathic physician. I worried about this too but honestly I love the philosophy I really want to learn OMM because it is the physical implimentation of Osteopathic philosophy. Osteopathic medicine fits me the best allopathic medicine has its individualized identity too and those that choose that secter of medicine are making a good decision also. I could look up studies that show all this but think logically and you will realize how much this makes sense. Good luck in your choice but don't let numbers fool you most of them are skewed, biased, and misinterpreted- realize that the only way you will know for sure is by shadowing a doctor in each field asking them about there experience researching the school by actualy going there not just looking at the numbers and picking which one you will feel the most comfortable at, and at a reasonable cost.

my 2 cents

 

[Kuba]

It is insignifigant you should know being a student and taking the MCAT or any other test it really doens't matter what "school" you go to harvard or State school you are the one studying for the test and you can get just as good if not better grades/scores than anyone if you put the time into it and if you are intelligent. Like you said before you pointed out factors of avg matriculant stats being slightly different at this is true but you also must realize that they are averages there are allo students that get below the average and there are osteo students that are above the average. It is reallyd dependent on the individual. For instance there are plenty of Medical students from Osteopathic schools that have matched in a prestigous residency program. (ex Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins... ) The head of Internal medicine at Johns Hopkins is an Osteopathic physician, the last surgeon general was an Osteopathic physician. I worried about this too but honestly I love the philosophy I really want to learn OMM because it is the physical implimentation of Osteopathic philosophy. Osteopathic medicine fits me the best allopathic medicine has its individualized identity too and those that choose that secter of medicine are making a good decision also. I could look up studies that show all this but think logically and you will realize how much this makes sense. Good luck in your choice but don't let numbers fool you most of them are skewed, biased, and misinterpreted- realize that the only way you will know for sure is by shadowing a doctor in each field asking them about there experience researching the school by actualy going there not just looking at the numbers and picking which one you will feel the most comfortable at, and at a reasonable cost.

my 2 cents

👍



thats a good answer. I just want to add the obvious that since DO schools have lower MCAT averages (i.e. they have a lot of students that standardize test much worse than their MD counterparts) why wouldnt you expect USMLE test averages to be different? You are no going to learn to standardize test better or worse at any school, but both US MD and DO schools will provide you with an excellent medical education.

 

[FizbanZymogen]

👍



thats a good answer. I just want to add the obvious that since DO schools have lower MCAT averages (i.e. they have a lot of students that standardize test much worse than their MD counterparts) why wouldnt you expect USMLE test averages to be different? You are no going to learn to standardize test better or worse at any school, but both US MD and DO schools will provide you with an excellent medical education.

Actually I know a lot of my freinds who are applying DO and not MD because of their low GPA's and not becuase of their MCAT scores. There are mnay DO's who test very well but chose to go DO for other reasons (however I think in general, yes DO students do have lower MCATS than their MD counterparts).

 

[organic37881]

Folks I work with both MD and DO physicians. I can assure you that how well they take care of tough situations has nothing to do with scores.

 

[Kuba]

Actually I know a lot of my freinds who are applying DO and not MD because of their low GPA's and not becuase of their MCAT scores. There are mnay DO's who test very well but chose to go DO for other reasons (however I think in general, yes DO students do have lower MCATS than their MD counterparts).

I agree, but an average is an average

 

[Old_Mil]

This is comparing apples to oranges in a big way. The curricula at all medical schools is, to a large extent, developed to teach toward the boards. Osteopathic schools teach for the COMLEX; allopathic schools teach for the USMLE. It's kind of like studying for the ACT vs studying for the SAT, both contain a lot of the same information, but but both are very different tests. If you study for one and take the other, you aren't maximizing your potential.

I don't know that this is accurate; everyone I know who has prepped for the Comlex has done so using USMLE board review books.

The best solution in my opinion is to eliminate the Comlex and have a combined match.

 

[jkhamlin]

I don't know that this is accurate; everyone I know who has prepped for the Comlex has done so using USMLE board review books.

The best solution in my opinion is to eliminate the Comlex and have a combined match.

They used the review books, plus reviewed for the OMT sections. They had more to review for. This is not the point, however. Reviewing is one thing, studying is another.

My point, which I made clear, was that the schools teach toward one test or the other. Osteopathic schools teach toward the COMLEX and allopathic schools teach toward the USMLE. Don't try to overanalyze it.

 

[Ifellinapothole]

as for now, there is just no studies or actual proof of individual performance on the usmle's by DO students...maybe you can conduct a study 🙂

sorry....but there is tons of data for DO students taking the USMLE. The pass rate for DO's is about 74% and for MD's 90%. Do a search and you'll find it.

You have to ask yourself one thing punk, are you feeling lucky?

and if the answer is yes, take and do well on the USMLE.

 

[Kuba]

sorry....but there is tons of data for DO students taking the USMLE. The pass rate for DO's is about 74% and for MD's 90%. Do a search and you'll find it.

You have to ask yourself one thing punk, are you feeling lucky?

and if the answer is yes, take and do well on the USMLE.

yep, the AAMC publishes this data.

 

[Westardly]

They used the review books, plus reviewed for the OMT sections. They had more to review for. This is not the point, however. Reviewing is one thing, studying is another.

My point, which I made clear, was that the schools teach toward one test or the other. Osteopathic schools teach toward the COMLEX and allopathic schools teach toward the USMLE. Don't try to overanalyze it.

Im gonna have to agree with oldmil on this one. I dont even get what you mean, "teach toward the comlex". I learn biochem, micro, anatomy, histology, pathology, pharmacology the same as any student in the country. I don't even know of a COMLEX board review book, and why should there be, the allopaths have one for USMLE so that should do it, right?

I think it really has to do with the students. Yeah there are many who are at DO schools who could be in an MD program, but when many MD programs have 36 MCAT averages and some DO programs have a 21 average(meaning some above and some below a 21), there's a real difference in the academic quality* of the students whether you care to admit it or not. The carribean schools "teach toward the USMLE" and their scores are worse on the USMLE than the DO students who take it. So it has nothing to do with the school teaching towards one or the other.

Any DO school in the country can teach you what you need to know to pass. The question is do you have what it takes?

*Please note, I said academic quality. Does not mean the guy who "scored a 17, with a 2.1 GPA got into XX-COM!" won't make a good doctor. You have to admit there are some freakin' smart people out there scoring 40's on the MCAT, rockin' 4.0's that studied more than you, know more than you, and perhaps in some ways will make a better doctor than you someday as well. It's a good thing we have them in medicine too.

 

[Kuba]

Im gonna have to agree with oldmil on this one. I dont even get what you mean, "teach toward the comlex". I learn biochem, micro, anatomy, histology, pathology, pharmacology the same as any student in the country. I don't even know of a COMLEX board review book, and why should there be, the allopaths will take care of it, right?

I think it really has to do with the students. Yeah there are many who are at DO schools who could be in an MD program, but when many MD programs have 36 MCAT averages and some DO programs have a 21 average(meaning some above and some below a 21), there's a real difference in the academic quality* of the students whether you care to admit it or not. The carribean schools "teach toward the USMLE" and their scores are worse on the USMLE than the DO students who take it. So it has nothing to do with the school teaching towards one or the other.

Any DO school in the country can teach you what you need to know to pass. The question is do you have what it takes?

*Please note, I said academic quality. Does not mean the guy who "scored a 17, with a 2.1 GPA got into XX-COM!" won't make a good doctor. You have to admit there are some freakin' smart people out there scoring 40's on the MCAT, rockin' 4.0's that studied more than you, know more than you, and perhaps in some ways will make a better doctor than you someday as well. It's a good thing we have them in medicine too.

👍 I like this post. I am going to be a DO too, but too often people here have the need to defend the profession to the point that they refuse to admit that on average many of the students in the MD programs performed better academically. The truth is they did. It may not make them better doctors, but it will make them get higher USMLE scores. Having said that, a DO make get the highest score in the country and the US MD may get the lowest. The average says nothing about each individual.

 

[It'sElectric]

Everyone, including the OP, just needs to keep in mind that soooooo many things can change in a person's life between the years 18 to 22 and 23 to 27.
I'm not the same person I was 6 years ago, and I hope that other people can say the same thing.

 

[jkhamlin]

Im gonna have to agree with oldmil on this one. I dont even get what you mean, "teach toward the comlex". I learn biochem, micro, anatomy, histology, pathology, pharmacology the same as any student in the country. I don't even know of a COMLEX board review book, and why should there be, the allopaths have one for USMLE so that should do it, right?

I think it really has to do with the students. Yeah there are many who are at DO schools who could be in an MD program, but when many MD programs have 36 MCAT averages and some DO programs have a 21 average(meaning some above and some below a 21), there's a real difference in the academic quality* of the students whether you care to admit it or not. The carribean schools "teach toward the USMLE" and their scores are worse on the USMLE than the DO students who take it. So it has nothing to do with the school teaching towards one or the other.

Any DO school in the country can teach you what you need to know to pass. The question is do you have what it takes?

*Please note, I said academic quality. Does not mean the guy who "scored a 17, with a 2.1 GPA got into XX-COM!" won't make a good doctor. You have to admit there are some freakin' smart people out there scoring 40's on the MCAT, rockin' 4.0's that studied more than you, know more than you, and perhaps in some ways will make a better doctor than you someday as well. It's a good thing we have them in medicine too.

It is well known in behavioral science that entrance exam scores have poor correlation with successful educational outcomes. GPA's have even worse correlation with successful educational outcomes. Frankly, someone with a 4.0 scares me. Something isn't right there, and they probably aren't studying a rigorous major such as a science.

Of course the med schools teach toward the respective boards. Steps I and II are required to graduate. KCUMB practically told us this when I interviewed. Several med schools (both MD and DO) told us this when they visited my university.

 

[Jack Daniel]

..... Frankly, someone with a 4.0 scares me. Something isn't right there, and they probably aren't studying a rigorous major such as a science....

Having taken some rigorous classes myself, I'm usually impressed when I hear of people graduating with top GPAs.

However, in the spirit of jkhamlin's post, here's a joke you may appreciate:

How do you tell an extrovert at MIT?

An extrovert will look at your shoes when talking to you.

 

[pguin]

It is well known in behavioral science that entrance exam scores have poor correlation with successful educational outcomes. GPA's have even worse correlation with successful educational outcomes. Frankly, someone with a 4.0 scares me. Something isn't right there, and they probably aren't studying a rigorous major such as a science.

I definately agree with you about anyone with a 4.0 even if it is in a science. Anyone who spends that much time in a library is a little scary.

I am not a behavioral science major but it seems that entrance gpa's and exams must have a greater correlation to their medical scool success than you state above. Otherwise, Harvard would not be filled with 4.0 40 MCAT people, they would just have the person with the best personality. I do however, think it makes a good point to say that a student with a 3.0 and 22 MCAT CAN do as well or better in med school as a 4.0 with a 33, but if i had to place a bet Id feel comfortable with my money on the 4.0

 

[Westardly]

It is well known in behavioral science that entrance exam scores have poor correlation with successful educational outcomes. GPA's have even worse correlation with successful educational outcomes. Frankly, someone with a 4.0 scares me. Something isn't right there, and they probably aren't studying a rigorous major such as a science.

Of course the med schools teach toward the respective boards. Steps I and II are required to graduate. KCUMB practically told us this when I interviewed. Several med schools (both MD and DO) told us this when they visited my university.

What school do you go to again? Dont believe everything an adcom on an interview tells you. They've never sat through a lecture. They have no idea what the heck is even on the boards. They are there to sell their school. I currently attend a DO school, and when they teach physiology, pharmacology, and path, they are not teaching it "towards" the COMLEX my man. They teach what you need to know for "boards," regardless of whether its comlex or usmle. If you took OMM out of the equation, and tested on the basic sciences, I would guess that the MD students in the country not having been taught "towards" the COMLEX could pass as easily as they passed the USMLE. I would bet there would still be a discrepancy as to MD students scoring better than the DO students for reasons stated earlier.

And as for people with a 4.0 scaring you, its simply an insecurity you try to cover with justifications and rationalizations that something is wrong with them. They are more dedicated and probably know alot more than you because of the extra time and effort they have put into it. You have either chosen not to study as hard because of one reason or the other, or you're lazy, or you're afraid of failure. It isn't people like them who scare me.

I am willing to accept the fact that when I score below an A, there are probably things I could have done different that would have allowed to score to my potential. When my potential is not reached, I dont blame it on the test.

 

[Westardly]

Something isn't right there, and they probably aren't studying a rigorous major such as a science.
QUOTE]

Yeah, that's it.

 

[MDstudent101]

Guys so I really kinda got a little cofused, from what ive read basically you guys are saying that a DO student can take the USMLE insted of the COMLEX I dont Understand??? Or he/she can choose to take both??? Ive never heard of this happening???? 😕 😕

Excuse my ignorance......😳

Thanks

 

[Kuba]

DO students HAVE to take the COMLEX. Some choose to also take the USMLE in order to be more competitive for allopathic residencies.

 

[jkhamlin]

What school do you go to again? Dont believe everything an adcom on an interview tells you. They've never sat through a lecture. They have no idea what the heck is even on the boards. They are there to sell their school. I currently attend a DO school, and when they teach physiology, pharmacology, and path, they are not teaching it "towards" the COMLEX my man. They teach what you need to know for "boards," regardless of whether its comlex or usmle. If you took OMM out of the equation, and tested on the basic sciences, I would guess that the MD students in the country not having been taught "towards" the COMLEX could pass as easily as they passed the USMLE. I would bet there would still be a discrepancy as to MD students scoring better than the DO students for reasons stated earlier.

And as for people with a 4.0 scaring you, its simply an insecurity you try to cover with justifications and rationalizations that something is wrong with them. They are more dedicated and probably know alot more than you because of the extra time and effort they have put into it. You have either chosen not to study as hard because of one reason or the other, or you're lazy, or you're afraid of failure. It isn't people like them who scare me.

I am willing to accept the fact that when I score below an A, there are probably things I could have done different that would have allowed to score to my potential. When my potential is not reached, I dont blame it on the test.

Sorry you are so ill informed... 🙄

 

[Nickelpennykid]

I definately agree with you about anyone with a 4.0 even if it is in a science. Anyone who spends that much time in a library is a little scary.

I am not a behavioral science major but it seems that entrance gpa's and exams must have a greater correlation to their medical scool success than you state above. Otherwise, Harvard would not be filled with 4.0 40 MCAT people, they would just have the person with the best personality. I do however, think it makes a good point to say that a student with a 3.0 and 22 MCAT CAN do as well or better in med school as a 4.0 with a 33, but if i had to place a bet Id feel comfortable with my money on the 4.0

MCAT scores have been proven to be an excellent predictor of USMLE scores (less reasearch is out there for COMLEX, but same deal). Search pubmed and you will find plenty of scientific papers / articles. I believe the aamc has some info about this in their yearly release. This does not work for all individual cases, but it does well for the group. So, while it can't predict how good of a doctor you will become, it can be a huge part of what type of doctor you will be. That being said, those who do poorly on the MCAT should do about hte same on the USMLE. There is a reason that the highest USMLE scores are found in the most competative residencies (plastics, derm, rad. onc.). This is on the aamc and MD match sites as well for those who are interested.

 

[Taus]

MCAT scores have been proven to be an excellent predictor of USMLE scores (less reasearch is out there for COMLEX, but same deal). Search pubmed and you will find plenty of scientific papers / articles. I believe the aamc has some info about this in their yearly release. This does not work for all individual cases, but it does well for the group. So, while it can't predict how good of a doctor you will become, it can be a huge part of what type of doctor you will be. That being said, those who do poorly on the MCAT should do about hte same on the USMLE. There is a reason that the highest USMLE scores are found in the most competative residencies (plastics, derm, rad. onc.). This is on the aamc and MD match sites as well for those who are interested.

Actually the studies have shown correlations that are modest at best.... but either way...I'd be lying if I didn't think a 40 MCAT'er is gonna get a higher USMLE then a 20... hardwork in med school can make up for a lot but probably not at the extreme ends of the spectrum.....all the people who are clustered around the averages of entering stats will have hard work/ work ethic be more of a determining factor for board scores in my opinion...

 

[mobio201]

The head of Internal medicine at Johns Hopkins is an Osteopathic physician, the last surgeon general was an Osteopathic physician.


I usually just read these threads without posting in an attempt to get useful information about the admissions process, but sometimes I can't help myself. I have no vested interest in this discussion, but I would like to know how Richard Henry Carmona, M.D., M.P.H, F.A.C.S. is a DO surgeon general. I scanned back to the early 80's and there has never been a single DO surgeon general. There was one VMD, but no DO. What is the point of spewing out information if it is false?

 

[pguin]

The head of Internal medicine at Johns Hopkins is an Osteopathic physician, the last surgeon general was an Osteopathic physician.


I usually just read these threads without posting in an attempt to get useful information about the admissions process, but sometimes I can't help myself. I have no vested interest in this discussion, but I would like to know how Richard Henry Carmona, M.D., M.P.H, F.A.C.S. is a DO surgeon general. I scanned back to the early 80's and there has never been a single DO surgeon general. There was one VMD, but no DO. What is the point of spewing out information if it is false?

Whoever said that was probably referring to Ronald Ray Blanck, DO who was Surgeon General of the Army from 1996-2000.

 

[Dr JPH]

and they are two different approaches to medicine.

😡