Anesthesiology

[DOCMom84]

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With the new changes in the USMLE exam I'm wondering how that affects DOs trying to get into Anesthesiology. What things should we be doing to better our chances of getting into that field?

 

[Startingover123]

With the new changes in the USMLE exam I'm wondering how that affects DOs trying to get into Anesthesiology. What things should we be doing to better our chances of getting into that field?

You should ask this in DO medical school forum. From what I read over there the future does not look good for anything outside of PC.

 

[DOCMom84]

You should ask this in DO medical school forum. From what I read over there the future does not look good for anything outside of PC.

Well, like I said before in that forum, that’s a very presumptuous statement, when the news was announced just yesterday. I doubt that all of the sudden all specialities will no longer accept DOs when they have been doing it for years.

 

[The Hound]

With the new changes in the USMLE exam I'm wondering how that affects DOs trying to get into Anesthesiology. What things should we be doing to better our chances of getting into that field?

Specialties like gas, PM&R, and EM have been traditionally DO friendly, I don't see why programs that have been accepting osteopaths for years would all of a sudden stop because step 1 is P/F. I think the competition will increase, but not to the "stranded" in primary care land that is going around on here.

 

[DOCMom84]

Specialties like gas, PM&R, and EM have been traditionally DO friendly, I don't see why programs that have been accepting osteopaths for years would all of a sudden stop because step 1 is P/F. I think the competition will increase, but not to the "stranded" in primary care land that is going around on here.

Completely agree! I know a lot of DOs in Anesthesiology so i think it’s crazy that everyone all of the sudden thinks PDs will stop allowing them in because of a change to one exam. I guess my question was what steps should be taken to be more proactive? Like should I start looking for research positions right now? Should I use my “summer break” between year 1 & 2 to shadow another Anthesiologist?

 

[Startingover123]

Well, like I said before in that forum, that’s a very presumptuous statement, when the news was announced just yesterday. I doubt that all of the sudden all specialities will no longer accept DOs when they have been doing it for years.

No idea I was just relaying what people are saying.

 

[The Hound]

Completely agree! I know a lot of DOs in Anesthesiology so i think it’s crazy that everyone all of the sudden thinks PDs will stop allowing them in because of a change to one exam. I guess my question was what steps should be taken to be more proactive? Like should I start looking for research positions right now? Should I use my “summer break” between year 1 & 2 to shadow another Anthesiologist?

I think tailoring your app to the specialty you want is extremely important, how to go about this...I have no clue. I would assume that step 2 ck will become extremely important since this is the only measurable metric outside class rank and grades. Then it seems like after that a lot of your competitiveness will fall to more subjective things like LORs, connections, school name, alumni network, ECs, personal statements, etc. The bigger problem I see is gunning for a specialty for 3 years, picking electives, taking step-2 and bombing, and then having to rethink your future plans in a relatively short amount of time. I'm not pumped about being the guinea pig for this experiment. Hopefully, more guidance on what PDs want will be released in the near future. Until then, I'm just hoping my state MD school accepts me so I can avoid some of this drama. If not, I'll make it work. I've worked too hard to get spooked about something that nobody can predict the outcome of.

 

[PapaStill]

I'm a DO going to match anesthesia in a couple weeks. I think this change SEVERELY hurts your chances at matching gas.

 

[Whysoez]

I'm a DO going to match anesthesia in a couple weeks. I think this change SEVERELY hurts your chances at matching gas.

Care to elaborate?

 

[DOCMom84]

I'm a DO going to match anesthesia in a couple weeks. I think this change SEVERELY hurts your chances at matching gas.

My brother just matched to UC Davis in their Anesthesiology department last year and he said their PD said it won't hurt DOs the way people are trying to perceive. I also work at a prestigious medical school in their Neurosurgery department and our PD has echoed this statement. They will have ways of differentiating applicants and they will be just as willing to take DOs as they did before the news broke. The negative and ominous messages are so ridiculous when no one really has a clue what is going to happen. I was simply asking what things can be done to improve chances of matching.

 

[The Hound]

I'm a DO going to match anesthesia in a couple weeks. I think this change SEVERELY hurts your chances at matching gas.

Okay, and...

 

[PapaStill]

My brother just matched to UC Davis in their Anesthesiology department last year and he said their PD said it won't hurt DOs the way people are trying to perceive. I also work at a prestigious medical school in their Neurosurgery department and our PD has echoed this statement. They will have ways of differentiating applicants and they will be just as willing to take DOs as they did before the news broke. The negative and ominous messages are so ridiculous when no one really has a clue what is going to happen. I was simply asking what things can be done to improve chances of matching.

I've been a huge proponent and advocate for DO's and I am glad I chose my medical school. I've heard numerous similar stories from prestigious MD PD's and other MD counterparts. However, I don't think anyone realizes the disadvantage you are as a DO GAS applicant until you are actually applying for residency. I expected way more interview invites I got with my scores and CV and I'm telling you when you look on residency rosters and see DO's scattered in the mix of GAS classes, you perceive it being way easier then it actually is. The 8 interviews I got were at very very reputable institutions but I think ya'll will be surprised the effect this has on DO applicants.

Obviously Step 2 is king lol

Furthermore.....look at the ERAS data and see the increase in gas applicants annually. Absolutely massive the last 3 years. It's becoming a very very competitive field. And no matter what a PD says they are being absolutely bombarded by applications and not having Step 1 as a tool to screen applicants is going to make it less likely that they get to Joe, DO in the applicant pile.

Last thing....I'm not saying this should make you rule out going DO completely. But at least apply broadly to MD and try to get an acceptance if possible. I applied to 1 MD school when I was in your shoes and I wish I had applied to MD schools and even DO programs more broadly!

 

[Angus Avagadro]

I had a student 2 yrs ago that didnt get an interview until Dec. Had 240+ Step 1 and top quartile in class rank. Went on to match his #1, but I think they went through the MD apps first, then the DO apps. It's the only explanation I can come up with for such late interviews.

 

[Dr.Bruh]

Based on Charting Outcomes the step requirement for DOs in Gas is pretty dang low (breaking 210 put your chance of matching at 90%+, even DOs with sub 200-209 had almost an 80% match rate). So I think gas programs that have been taking DOs are still gunna be fine with a "P" step 1 and a solid step2.

 

[Blueprint Med School]

With the new changes in the USMLE exam I'm wondering how that affects DOs trying to get into Anesthesiology. What things should we be doing to better our chances of getting into that field?

Nobody really quite knows. The issue is two changes that could combine to really hurt DOs. The first is the obvious change of Step 1 to P/F. The latter is the merging of residencies that is almost complete. No more exclusive DO residencies means they can take MDs as well. The worry is that these two changes will mean old DO residencies may begin accepting lots of MDs who would have otherwise been less competitive with Step 1 scores.

High level traditional residencies will keep doing what they're doing, which is mostly top rank MDs, and DO residencies will end up splitting their ranks.

Again, we'll see what happens, but this could easily be an effect.

David D MD - USMLE and MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[sab3156]

If anything is very likely, it's that this change is going to hurt DOs applying to prestigious programs. It is very feasible that we may be seeing the end of DOs matching to great programs. Programs like MGH/Harvard and Hopkins, which have a history of sometimes taking a DO here and there, may actually find it difficult to give them a chance for away rotations... It isn't just a match problem. This is also an away rotations problem. You guys ain't taking Step 2 CK early on in the first few months of 3rd year, are you...?

I have already heard from Ophthalmology faculty that this change is problematic for their ability to take a chance on people from lower tier schools and to figure out who to allow to come for rotations. Name of your school was important before. Now it's even bigger. DOs are going to hurt from this, no doubt about that.

 

[Dochopeful13]

With the new changes in the USMLE exam I'm wondering how that affects DOs trying to get into Anesthesiology. What things should we be doing to better our chances of getting into that field?

Did you ever get a legit answer to this question? I’m interested in anesthesia as well. Not sure what steps to complete to make myself competitive.

 

[Dochopeful13]

If anything is very likely, it's that this change is going to hurt DOs applying to prestigious programs. It is very feasible that we may be seeing the end of DOs matching to great programs. Programs like MGH/Harvard and Hopkins, which have a history of sometimes taking a DO here and there, may actually find it difficult to give them a chance for away rotations... It isn't just a match problem. This is also an away rotations problem. You guys ain't taking Step 2 CK early on in the first few months of 3rd year, are you...?

I have already heard from Ophthalmology faculty that this change is problematic for their ability to take a chance on people from lower tier schools and to figure out who to allow to come for rotations. Name of your school was important before. Now it's even bigger. DOs are going to hurt from this, no doubt about that.

Do you think DO’s will still be able to match anesthesia in the future?

 

[sab3156]

Do you think DO’s will still be able to match anesthesia in the future?

Yes, I don't think DOs are going to get locked out of Anesthesiology, though it may get harder than before to achieve matches at top tier programs. It's the away rotations situation that is really going to sting. If those programs historically screened or handed out rotations based on Step 1 scores, your school name and other factors may play a bigger role.

 

[Dochopeful13]

Yes, I don't think DOs are going to get locked out of Anesthesiology, though it may get harder than before to achieve matches at top tier programs. It's the away rotations situation that is really going to sting. If those programs historically screened or handed out rotations based on Step 1 scores, your school name and other factors may play a bigger role.

Do you think low tier residency will still remain relatively easy to match?

 

[sab3156]

Do you think low tier residency will still remain relatively easy to match?

Yes, probably. Anesthesiology isn't competitive, so I don't think you should be worried about at least matching somewhere.

 

[Goro]

Do you think low tier residency will still remain relatively easy to match?

Yes, and really, people, the sky is NOT falling.

 

[Jeanne d'Arc]

Oh no, Step 1 became P/F, seems like now DO students cant get into ANY residency outside PC. I think I don't need to watch SNL tonight because I just had my dose of Saturday comedy.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Do you think DO’s will still be able to match anesthesia in the future?

Yes. Although it will likely hurt DO's trying to match mid-upper tier programs as was mentioned above.

 

[PapaStill]

Anesthesiology is incredibly competitive. 2200 applicants this year for 1768 spots. This is not any easy one to get into, folks. Very blessed I matched yesterday.

 

[deleted610572]

Anesthesiology is incredibly competitive. 2200 applicants this year for 1768 spots. This is not any easy one to get into, folks. Very blessed I matched yesterday.

Those seat to applicant ratio doesn’t qualify as incredibly competitive. Yes competitive but not incredibly