Any Canadian DO grads here?

[tl91]

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Hi all,

As a Canadian premed with a weaker GPA, it's an uphill battle for me applying to Canadian/US MD programs. I'm starting to explore alternatives, and the DO option seems like a solid one for me. However, from my own research, there are two things that I'm worried about:
1) what effects are there (if any) on the possibility of practicing in Canada, and
2) are my options limited if I'd like to specialize (EM and anesthesiology come to mind)?

Unfortunately the DO degree is still not nearly as well-known in Canada as it is in the US, so my usual mentors haven't been able to give me much insight. Are there any DO grads here who have successfully returned to Canada for residency/to practice? Would anyone would be willing to share some advice/stories? Feel free to PM me!

Thanks in advance!

 

[walkonwater]

You'll have to dig if you want to get in contact with Canadian DO grads returning to Canada. Most,if not all, the Canadians on this forum are still in med school or are pre-med.

 

[almirbhf]

Hi all,

As a Canadian premed with a weaker GPA, it's an uphill battle for me applying to Canadian/US MD programs. I'm starting to explore alternatives, and the DO option seems like a solid one for me. However, from my own research, there are two things that I'm worried about:
1) what effects are there (if any) on the possibility of practicing in Canada, and
2) are my options limited if I'd like to specialize (EM and anesthesiology come to mind)?

Unfortunately the DO degree is still not nearly as well-known in Canada as it is in the US, so my usual mentors haven't been able to give me much insight. Are there any DO grads here who have successfully returned to Canada for residency/to practice? Would anyone would be willing to share some advice/stories? Feel free to PM me!

Thanks in advance!

Look at COMSA (canadian osteopathic association)) their website has pretty good resources. On here, Mashmetoo posts often and is an advocate for Canadians pursuing the DO degree.

I personally have been accepted into MSUCOM and am most likely starting there this June, they have a canadian initiative where they accept 20-25 canadian students each year (the stats are pretty high still, it seems as if the canadian accepted average was around 3.6+ and 30 mcat, I got in off waitlist with a 3.5 and 29)
Other schools do accept canadians and don't view them any differently than OOS due to them being privately funded universities for the most part.

In terms of coming back to Canada, you can match in CaRMS first iteration, no restrictions in almost all the provinces ( I believe the maritimes don't allow you to match there). Following your residency (which I believe you need to take the MCCEE for), you are a licensed physician just like the rest.
Also, if you want to come back to Canada, you can always do an ACGME residency following completion of your DO degree, then when you are done residency in the USA, return to Canada and get your license there as ACGME residencies are considered sufficient. (Some specialties will require an assessment of capabilities and such).

In terms of specialization in Canada, it is pretty tough coming out of any US medical school. Much better chances of matching in the USA imo. In the end it is up to how you do on the USMLE and your work ethic that determines your residency. Where you go to school has a lower importance than those two.

I actually know of a DO in my area, he is an old guy. He is the main coroner for Essex County in Ontario. There are more around the Toronto area that have practices.

 

[TeamLeafs]

Look at COMSA (canadian osteopathic association)) their website has pretty good resources. On here, Mashmetoo posts often and is an advocate for Canadians pursuing the DO degree.

I personally have been accepted into MSUCOM and am most likely starting there this June, they have a canadian initiative where they accept 20-25 canadian students each year (the stats are pretty high still, it seems as if the canadian accepted average was around 3.6+ and 30 mcat, I got in off waitlist with a 3.5 and 29)
Other schools do accept canadians and don't view them any differently than OOS due to them being privately funded universities for the most part.

In terms of coming back to Canada, you can match in CaRMS first iteration, no restrictions in almost all the provinces ( I believe the maritimes don't allow you to match there). Following your residency (which I believe you need to take the MCCEE for), you are a licensed physician just like the rest.
Also, if you want to come back to Canada, you can always do an ACGME residency following completion of your DO degree, then when you are done residency in the USA, return to Canada and get your license there as ACGME residencies are considered sufficient. (Some specialties will require an assessment of capabilities and such).

In terms of specialization in Canada, it is pretty tough coming out of any US medical school. Much better chances of matching in the USA imo. In the end it is up to how you do on the USMLE and your work ethic that determines your residency. Where you go to school has a lower importance than those two.

I actually know of a DO in my area, he is an old guy. He is the main coroner for Essex County in Ontario. There are more around the Toronto area that have practices.

Look up the actual CARMS information, DOs only get first iteration in Ontario, Quebec and BC. They aren't even recognized in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, or Saskatchewan. They are only eligible for IMG spots in Alberta, which also require you to be an Alberta resident. Manitoba has specific restrictions also.

You confused it with US MD graduates. They get first iteration in every province unrestricted.

 

[youarealiar]

Look up the actual CARMS information, DOs only get first iteration in Ontario, Quebec and BC. They aren't even recognized in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, or Saskatchewan. They are only eligible for IMG spots in Alberta, which also require you to be an Alberta resident. Manitoba has specific restrictions also.

You confused it with US MD graduates. They get first iteration in every province unrestricted.

See my post on the Canadian thread, UBC rarely takes US grads for their program network.