can osteopathic physician (DO) write MD after name?

[wblack]

I was wondering this as i found out that those with international medical degree (non-MD) can come to US and legally write MD after their name and practice if licensed. If they can do that, can osteopathic doctor write MD after his/her name as it is more widely recognized?

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[omgyou8myrice]

You can write anything after your name, doesn't make it true.

sincerely,

omgyou8myrice, M.D, J.D

 

[Laryngophed]

I was wondering this as i found out that those with international medical degree (non-MD) can come to US and legally write MD after their name and practice if licensed. If they can do that, can osteopathic doctor write MD after his/her name as it is more widely recognized?

I don't know. I would imagine there could be legal implications for fraud (or at least ethical issues) for misrepresenting your degree, even though they are by and large equivalent degrees. I'm not sure that one would want to do so, though I have heard the anecdotal evidence offered by some that say they do it just to quell the inevitable questions like "what is a DO?" Some hospital systems also just assign any physician the label of MD for things like IDs or other internal identification purposes, but that seems to be more likely an oversight in their planning or IT departments and less likely a slight against DOs.

 

[Hurricane95]

Of course not. They are not MDs.

 

[da8s0859q]

Of course not. They are not MDs.

This. MBBS does not equal DO, which does not equal MD. BUT someone with an MBBS from overseas can refer to themselves as MD as a matter of practicality since the MBBS and MD degrees are different entities in other countries, where the United States uses the MD as its terminal, clinically-oriented degree. IIRC, foreign MDs tend to have much more in the way of research requirements than we have.

Unsure as to how stringent MBBS programs are or what the rules are as far as residency/licensure and then using "MD."

DO = different terminal medical degree in the US, so no, they are not MDs.

 

[chet]

I worked with a Doctor who was a DO, but his lab coat and ID badge read MD after his name. I never asked him about it because I just assumed that it was a simple error by the hospital.

But there is obviously a big difference between wearing a lab coat that says MD, and say signing a prescription and using an MD. He always used DO whenever he signed anything.

I'm curious as to what motivated the OP to ask this question. Have you witnessed a situation in which a DO found it advantageous to misinform his patient about his credentials, or perhaps he was just tired of explaining what DO means?

 

[Dissected]

You shouldn't sign or advertise yourself as an MD. I'm pretty sure it can be considered a form of fraud if it's in published form. There's no point anyway, I can't think of any good reason a DO would need to sign with an 'MD' after their name.

 

[hrandani]

However, I can't think of any reason why you can't say "Medical Doctor" after your name since that has nothing to do with MD.

 

[link2swim06]

I dont have time to look it up, but I remember seeing on the state medical disciplinary board a DO facing mild disciplinary action for advertising themselves as an MD.

That being said I have heard of hospitals having MD appear after any doctors name on their id badge.

 

[MedStudentWanna]

I'm curious as to what motivated the OP to ask this question. Have you witnessed a situation in which a DO found it advantageous to misinform his patient about his credentials, or perhaps he was just tired of explaining what DO means?

As an allopathic student, I think it's ridiculous that DOs aren't recognized as MDs. With all the mid-levels in white coats, some of whom wanting to be called "doctor" when they're not an MD or a DO, I think the whole medical doctor thing needs to be streamlined so that patients are aware there's only one title for a real medical doctor and anyone else being called doctor is a nurse practitioner, PhD, or whatever.

 

[MedStudentWanna]

I worked with a Doctor who was a DO, but his lab coat and ID badge read MD after his name. I never asked him about it because I just assumed that it was a simple error by the hospital.

I doubt it was an error. The hospital most likely wants to keep it easy for the patients so every doctor is an "MD" on their badge/coat.

 

[mvenus929]

Unsure as to how stringent MBBS programs are or what the rules are as far as residency/licensure and then using "MD."

Doesn't matter what their requirements for residency and licensure are... in order to practice in the US (and thus have this issue in the first place), you need to complete a US residency and pass all three steps.

 

[da8s0859q]

Doesn't matter what their requirements for residency and licensure are... in order to practice in the US (and thus have this issue in the first place), you need to complete a US residency and pass all three steps.

I'm aware. I'm just saying I don't know exactly how the MBBS -> MD thing works; I'd imagine they'd require some sort of USMLE passage before you can get away with that, but I don't know. It's sort of like me using "MD" when I graduate in a couple years and legally have the right to do so, but being ineligible to practice on my own.

 

[chet]

As an allopathic student, I think it's ridiculous that DOs aren't recognized as MDs. With all the mid-levels in white coats, some of whom wanting to be called "doctor" when they're not an MD or a DO, I think the whole medical doctor thing needs to be streamlined so that patients are aware there's only one title for a real medical doctor and anyone else being called doctor is a nurse practitioner, PhD, or whatever.

I think I understand what you are getting at, and it should be easier for patients to immediately recognize what level of training their provider has completed (Physician Vs. Mid-level etc.)

But I also think that the majority of DO's elected to go to a DO school, and therefore are proud of their title. If we were to all use the same title, that would imply we all have identical training, but due to OMT, that is not the case.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Bullet point time ...

-DO using MD after their name (purposely) is illegal. There have been cases where individuals have been sanctioned for this, and, on the whole, it's wildly unnecessary to do so.

-However, many hospitals systems recognize (in the computer, ID badges, for RX, etc) MD as physician, so all physicians (MD or DO) have John Doe, MD on their name tags. I worked in an ER for a few years with a decent mix of DOs and MDs, and all the DOs had 'MD' on the nametag, but DO on the scrubs, coat, etc (btw ... putting it on your coat probably isn't kosher either - this sounds like something the doc either chose to do or a mistake he could have had corrected)

-I've personally heard the MBBS converting to MD for all intents and purposes in the US thing is coming to an end. Anecdotal, but someone from NY told me MBBS are no longer allowed to put MD after their name, only MBBS.

-The degrees definitely are 'different,' but you'd be hard up to find DOs in any hospital department in the US who weren't identical (practice wise) to their MD counterparts. I find it hard to believe that an ACGME trained DO practicing right along side an ACGME trained MD (without any sort of identifying information) would be distinguishable whatsoever, and as far as privileges, rights, regulations, etc, are concerned, the degrees are 100% equivalent.

-As far as making all MDs and DOs recognizable to patients as 'medical doctors' due to the onslaught of nurse practitioners (DNPs) introducing themselves as Dr, RT/OT techs prancing around in long white coats, etc, I agree. Interestingly enough, I just saw a thread on SDN a few days ago where hospitals in Pennsylvania (I think) are switching to a color coded/labeled badge system so there isn't any confusion (ie: MD/DOs has a big red stripe across is and says 'PHYSICIAN' in bold on the bottom; RNs have a big blue strip and says 'NURSE' across the bottom, etc).

-Also OP ... if you're asking this question because you don't want to sport the DO ... I'd personally say to think long and hard about applying to DO schools (I'm sorry if this wasn't your intent). I don't think the degree title is going anywhere anytime soon, nor is it something I personally think you'd need to hide/detract from whatsoever. Every resident, attending, etc, I've ever spoken to says they practice alongside MDs every day, and have also told me that in the X number of years they've been in practice (including residency) they can count the number of times they've received the 'What's a DO' question on one hand.

Just my .02 as someone who will proudly sport the JaggerPlate, DO in the future.

 

[vicinihil]

I'm not sure if I agree with "majority of DO's elected to go to a DO school." Nothing against DO's because there are some fantastic DO physicians but I think MOST pre-meds want to go to an Allopathic school first and Osteopathic second. Some decided to attend Carribbean and med schools abroad instead of getting that DO. Certainly there is a number of DO's that wanted to get a DO degree from the get-go but I would imagine the exposure of the outside public to DO's is limited and majority of major medical centers are staffed with MD's in population dense areas.

In response to exi: I think MBBS do need to pass all 3 steps before they can sign MD and by passing all 3 steps, it converts the MBBS magically into an MD. Otherwise, a MBBS is NOT an MD in this country even though they may have been a doctor in their own.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I'm not sure if I agree with "majority of DO's elected to go to a DO school." Nothing against DO's because there are some fantastic DO physicians but I think MOST pre-meds want to go to an Allopathic school first and Osteopathic second. Some decided to attend Carribbean and med schools abroad instead of getting that DO. Certainly there is a number of DO's that wanted to get a DO degree from the get-go but I would imagine the exposure of the outside public to DO's is limited and majority of major medical centers are staffed with MD's in population dense areas.

In response to exi: I think MBBS do need to pass all 3 steps before they can sign MD and by passing all 3 steps, it converts the MBBS magically into an MD. Otherwise, a MBBS is NOT an MD in this country even though they may have been a doctor in their own.

Eh, it's probably not the best idea to start diving into people's motives for attending certain schools. I read the results of a survey recently (from AMCAS or AACOMAS or something ... I can't remember, sorry) where people ranked location and cost above the type of degree granted.

Is this valid? Who knows? I'd say anecdotally that most people in college simply want to 'go to medical school and become a doctor,' and since they are only aware of MD/Allopathic, most come in wanting that, but it's tough to say what changes with exposure to the two different degrees.

There are a grip of people at my school who got into both, most say they just applied to places where they were interested, areas where they wanted to live/could move a family to, proximity to loved ones, etc. However, I'm not going to sit here and deny that there are probably a lot of students, as well, at DO schools who would have 'preferred' (err whatever) the MD path (I also know of a lot who only applied DO), but again, breaking down these motives seems anecdotal at best.

 

[MedStudentWanna]

I think I understand what you are getting at, and it should be easier for patients to immediately recognize what level of training their provider has completed (Physician Vs. Mid-level etc.)

But I also think that the majority of DO's elected to go to a DO school, and therefore are proud of their title. If we were to all use the same title, that would imply we all have identical training, but due to OMT, that is not the case.

So make DO an additional degree for OMT and make it MD, DO. Patients won't be confused and at the same time, they get recognition for their OMT training.

 

[gro2001]

What about FMGs from countries who don't use any initials to designate a physician degree (Russia, for example) who end up practicing in the US (supposing they pass all the steps, complete a residency and get a US medical license)?

What about doctors from Czech Republic or Poland? Would you suggest they wear 'MUDr' or 'LEK' on their white coats?

 

[osumc2014]

I was wondering this as i found out that those with international medical degree (non-MD) can come to US and legally write MD after their name and practice if licensed. If they can do that, can osteopathic doctor write MD after his/her name as it is more widely recognized?

International medical degree people can write MD after their name cause they earned it by being board certified and taking USMLE tests, so makes sense

 

[waitwhat]

Many DO students often take all the USMLE steps and attend ACGME residencies as well.

 

[MedStudentWanna]

International medical degree people can write MD after their name cause they earned it by being board certified and taking USMLE tests, so makes sense

Using your logic, DOs who take the USMLE and are board certified should be allowed to put MD after their names as well if they want. Newsflash -- they are not.

 

[Lokhtar]

Um, the whole reason DO schools still exist with a separate exams, board ceritfications and residencies is that they themselves consider it different. So no, you can't - it's illegal. In a practical setting, there is really very little, if any difference (considering most DOs don't routinely practice OMM), so there is no realistic distinction except, again, by choice in the osteopathic world to consider themselves slightly different (more theoretically it seems).


However, why would you want to? In a professional setting, they've all but achieved equivalence (as they deserve). I don't think most people who know much consider it different, so there shouldn't be a downside to putting the initials.

MBBS is different since it's the same as MD degree (e.g, the "philosophy" is the same)....if US MD schools were in other countries, they'd be granting the MBBS degree, not the MD. Since there are no native MBBS schools in the US, it makes sense that they are allowed to advertise as being the equivalent in the US.

 

[docmd2010]

i personally think that an MBBS writing MD after their name is just as unethical as a DO writing MD after their name. MD is recognized in the entire world. Often times, in countries such as india, pakistan, "MBBS" is given after one graduates from medical school. MBBS stands for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. It's a degree that people get after 5 years of training after high school. In these countries, the MD is obtained after another 3-4 years of specialization. In other words, if you see someone practicing in india/pakistan with an "MD" they are a specialized doctor, and not just a generalist (MBBS). MD is a professional/doctorate degree obtained after 4 years of undergraduate training in the states. this is the main distinction between these two degrees. although the material learned to be an MBBS and an MD may be the same the amount of training required to obtain an MD is at least 3 years more. Further, if anyone falsifies their degree after their labcoat, name badge it is highly unethical

I agree with having three different distinctions:

Jane Doe, MD
Jane Doe, MBBS
Jane Doe, DO

 

[Smurfette]

How would you guys feel if an MD wrote DO after his/her name? If you are arguing they are the same, there should be no problems doing so; however the OMT and other factors make the two different. As the philosophy of training is different, so they should be distinguished as a part of the title.

Think of it as 2 routes to become a physician....either MD or DO. If a patient asks, all you need to do is say that there are two ways to become a doctor and that DOs are trained in OMT and MDs are not. It doesn't usually require more explanation than that. Think of undergrad: you can get a BA or a BS degree (among others, like BSN, but you get my point)...why list it as the other one? They are similar, but have different requirements.

One point, however, is that it is law in my state, and undoubtedly others, to represent your actual degrees and certifications. They will suspend or revoke your license if you state you have one degree and actually have another, or say you are board certified when you are not. It reflects on your character and integrity to be honest as to what your qualifications and achievements are.

The hospital I trained at distinguished MD/DO/MBBS/NP in the paging and physician directory. If a glitch in the system gave you the wrong label, it was something that would be end up getting corrected (at least once the EMR was up and running and other more crucial problems were fixed first). The guy who was an MBBS in my program signed his scripts with MBBS behind his name. The issue is how you represent yourself; if the computer thinks a DO is an MD, then that is a system problem....if a DO states he is an MD, and writes MD behind his name, that is misrepresenting training and is answerable to the powers that be.

 

[21CentSouldier]

Spare everyone the headache and just call them the same things. The only people that truly care about the difference are the elitists on the allopathic or osteopathic side. Instead they'd rather confuse the pt. by giving a dam, when the pt. in all actuality doesn't even care. All they want to know is if you're the doctor and can help them.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Um, the whole reason DO schools still exist with a separate exams, board ceritfications and residencies is that they themselves consider it different. So no, you can't - it's illegal. In a practical setting, there is really very little, if any difference (considering most DOs don't routinely practice OMM), so there is no realistic distinction except, again, by choice in the osteopathic world to consider themselves slightly different (more theoretically it seems).


However, why would you want to? In a professional setting, they've all but achieved equivalence (as they deserve). I don't think most people who know much consider it different, so there shouldn't be a downside to putting the initials.

MBBS is different since it's the same as MD degree (e.g, the "philosophy" is the same)....if US MD schools were in other countries, they'd be granting the MBBS degree, not the MD. Since there are no native MBBS schools in the US, it makes sense that they are allowed to advertise as being the equivalent in the US.

How would you guys feel if an MD wrote DO after his/her name? If you are arguing they are the same, there should be no problems doing so; however the OMT and other factors make the two different. As the philosophy of training is different, so they should be distinguished as a part of the title.

Think of it as 2 routes to become a physician....either MD or DO. If a patient asks, all you need to do is say that there are two ways to become a doctor and that DOs are trained in OMT and MDs are not. It doesn't usually require more explanation than that. Think of undergrad: you can get a BA or a BS degree (among others, like BSN, but you get my point)...why list it as the other one? They are similar, but have different requirements.

One point, however, is that it is law in my state, and undoubtedly others, to represent your actual degrees and certifications. They will suspend or revoke your license if you state you have one degree and actually have another, or say you are board certified when you are not. It reflects on your character and integrity to be honest as to what your qualifications and achievements are.

The hospital I trained at distinguished MD/DO/MBBS/NP in the paging and physician directory. If a glitch in the system gave you the wrong label, it was something that would be end up getting corrected (at least once the EMR was up and running and other more crucial problems were fixed first). The guy who was an MBBS in my program signed his scripts with MBBS behind his name. The issue is how you represent yourself; if the computer thinks a DO is an MD, then that is a system problem....if a DO states he is an MD, and writes MD behind his name, that is misrepresenting training and is answerable to the powers that be.

Both very valid and nicely stated 👍

 

[Etzio]

I was wondering this as i found out that those with international medical degree (non-MD) can come to US and legally write MD after their name and practice if licensed. If they can do that, can osteopathic doctor write MD after his/her name as it is more widely recognized?

Sorry bud, but if you wanted to be an MD, then you shouldn't have settled for being a DO.

 

[osumc2014]

doesnt really matter some of the best physicians are DO, and no one cares that they are

 

[tkim]

Can't talk about any other state, but in NYS, you must sign according to your degree - MD, DO, MBBS. In NYS people with foreign degrees can apply for an MD degree to be awarded from the NYS Regents, after obtaining a medical license in NYS and paying a fee.

Plenty of people in other states sign either way MBBS as MD, or as MBBS, but don't know if it's legal to do so. Probably less confusion and better marketing.

 

[Etzio]

You shouldn't sign or advertise yourself as an MD. I'm pretty sure it can be considered a form of fraud if it's in published form. There's no point anyway, I can't think of any good reason a DO would need to sign with an 'MD' after their name.

It would be like a mortal asking Zeus for his bad@$$ lightning bolts. Can't be done. Probably shouldn't have settled for being a mortal in that case…..

 

[GroovyMed]

.

 

[HawaiiHereICome]

Is having these two letters (MD) really going to afford you so much more happiness and fulfillment than DO?

If so then you need a girlfriend and you need to learn how to enjoy your life outside academia and medicine. <---- all of SDN gasps and shakes their head in disapproval of such a radical idea.

 

[Lokhtar]

after their name is just as unethical as a DO writing MD after their name. MD is recognized in the entire world.

Err, not really. Or rather, an 'MD' in other countries sometimes denotes a special distinction, such as research. In the US, you graduate with a MD after four years of medical school, and an MBBS in most countries is about six years of post-high education. There are also six year combined BS/MD programs in the US as well.

Again, the education is the same. Several years of basic science work, several years of rotations in the wards, etc.

The US has no degree awarded at the end of residency. A US MD who has just graduated is equivilant to a foreign MBBS. The US grad then generally does a residency in the states -- but so does a MBBS grad who has moved here.

So I fail to see the distinction.

 

[GroovyMed]

.

 

[da8s0859q]

Is having these two letters (MD) really going to afford you so much more happiness and fulfillment than DO?

If so then you need a girlfriend and you need to learn how to enjoy your life outside academia and medicine. <---- all of SDN gasps and shakes their head in disapproval of such a radical idea.

I didn't apply to DO schools just because I would personally prefer an MD. I have nothing against DOs. Thus, I need a "girlfriend and life outside academia." Flawless logic!

 

[JaggerPlate]

I didn't apply to DO schools just because I would personally prefer an MD. I have nothing against DOs. Thus, I need a "girlfriend and life outside academia." Flawless logic!

I personally see nothing wrong with this ( wanting the MD and applying allo only)

 

[HawaiiHereICome]

I didn't apply to DO schools just because I would personally prefer an MD. I have nothing against DOs. Thus, I need a "girlfriend and life outside academia." Flawless logic!

Pin a button on your nose. 🙄

I applied MD only as well. Why? Because I knew with my stats I would get into almost every school I applied to (note: most of them are by the beach or in vibrant cities)

For those who only derive a sense of self-actualization and happiness from the two letters that come after their name... well they need a girlfriend and they need to learn how to enjoy their lives outside academia. Read my statement again, even if it were meant to be a applied logically, you would see your analogy is fail.

This isn't meant to be ad hominem. Having been someone, in the past, who only derives pleasure from being the top of every class, from getting papers published, from being a generally bad ass mother***ker... well the accolades from supervisors and peers (pats on the head) it gets old. Public perception is such a waste of time and should not influence your sense of accomplishment and happiness

If going DO is your route you need to take to having a fulfilling career practicing medicine then do it. Don't waste your time giving a **** about what other idiots think.

 

[Etzio]

Err, not really. Or rather, an 'MD' in other countries sometimes denotes a special distinction, such as research. In the US, you graduate with a MD after four years of medical school, and an MBBS in most countries is about six years of post-high education. There are also six year combined BS/MD programs in the US as well.

Again, the education is the same. Several years of basic science work, several years of rotations in the wards, etc.

The US has no degree awarded at the end of residency. A US MD who has just graduated is equivilant to a foreign MBBS. The US grad then generally does a residency in the states -- but so does a MBBS grad who has moved here.

So I fail to see the distinction.

Except no one outside the US knows what a DO is because that degree doesn't exist anywhere else. Ive seen patients at the hospitals ive worked in the US, that didn't know what a DO was. However this is the US and we believe that everyone should be given a chance to do what they want. Hence we create backdoor options to many careers, a DO is that option for becoming a doctor.

 

[Etzio]

Pin a button on your nose. 🙄

I applied MD only as well. Why? Because I knew with my stats I would get into almost every school I applied to (note: most of them are by the beach or in vibrant cities)

For those who only derive a sense of self-actualization and happiness from the two letters that come after their name... well they need a girlfriend and they need to learn how to enjoy their lives outside academia. Read my statement again, even if it were meant to be a applied logically, you would see your analogy is fail.

This isn't meant to be ad hominem. Having been someone, in the past, who only derives pleasure from being the top of every class, from getting papers published, from being a generally bad ass mother***ker... well the accolades from supervisors and peers (pats on the head) it gets old. Public perception is such a waste of time and should not influence your sense of accomplishment and happiness

If going DO is your route you need to take to having a fulfilling career practicing medicine then do it. Don't waste your time giving a **** about what other idiots think.

There is a difference between achieving satisfaction from reaching goals, versus the letters of your name. My personal goal is to get into a US MD school, and unfortunately my ego is too big for me to compromise on that. I don't derive pleasure from the MD letters, rather knowing the fact that I reached my goal is what would give me satisfaction.

 

[Rendar5]

Except no one outside the US knows what a DO is because that degree doesn't exist anywhere else. Ive seen patients at the hospitals ive worked in the US, that didn't know what a DO was. However this is the US and we believe that everyone should be given a chance to do what they want. Hence we create backdoor options to many careers, a DO is that option for becoming a doctor.

spoken like a pre-med. As an MD I can tell you that DO isn't a backdoor option by any means, that plenty of docs wear name tags with DO after it, and I've yet to find a patient who truly gave a crap that my colleagues are DO's. All they care about is "are you my doctor or not". Though I guess my n of 2000 doesn't mean much =p

 

[Etzio]

spoken like a pre-med. As an MD I can tell you that DO isn't a backdoor option by any means, that plenty of docs wear name tags with DO after it, and I've yet to find a patient who truly gave a crap that my colleagues are DO's. Though I guess my n of 2000 doesn't mean much =p

Perhaps that's your opinion. I never said DOs were less competent of doctors. Ive shadowed MDs and spoke to them about DOs, and the cardiologist at my hospital said (direct quote):

"DOs are a way for people who can't get an MD feel good about themselves for becoming a doctor because this is America, and we want to maximize satisfaction to everyone."

An orthopedic surgeon (MD) also told me:

"There is no difference in the way we interact with each other, and the way things work in the professional setting between MDs and DOs. However in the back of my mind, I know that this person just didn't have what it took to be an MD."

The head of oncology at my hospital told his attending to specifically "not to interview any DOs" for openings on his team. So there is bias in the system - that is undeniable. An MD telling people that being a DO is no different is like me sleeping with a playboy model and telling you that its same feeling as jerking off - when in reality its infinitely better. Hope you get the analogy.

I don't care about the bias, and certainly have respect for the DOs that I know at my hospital. They have taught me many interesting things about medicine, so there is no lack of competency on their part. However I still can't bring myself to settle. If your willing to settle for your goals, then DO is by no means any less of a degree. I just can't compromise on what I want.

 

[Total180]

Except no one outside the US knows what a DO is because that degree doesn't exist anywhere else. Ive seen patients at the hospitals ive worked in the US, that didn't know what a DO was. However this is the US and we believe that everyone should be given a chance to do what they want. Hence we create backdoor options to many careers, a DO is that option for becoming a doctor.

You have said this numerous times recently on these boards and it is really starting to bug me. How is getting a DO a "back door" when we are going to go through the exact same training and education as our MD counterparts, in the exact same amount of time (minus the ADDITION of OMM)? I understand when people say now that with the Doctor of Nurse Practitioner degree, and their push towards autonomy, saying that they are trying to "back door" their way into being a doctor when they don't have the same training, and it takes much less time and sacrifices. But just because I am going to a DO school doesn't mean I am not becoming a physician. I still had to do all the same EC's, get awesome grades, study for the MCAT, sacrifice time, money, and even relationships the same as people who are going to MD schools. So you are saying that because my MCAT score wasn't amazing I am "backdooring" my way into medicine? HA. You say you "have nothing against DOs" but you obviously think of them as a lesser physician, and I hope never to actually meet you in person when I am a PHYSICIAN. Oh wait, your gpa is a 2.7, and with your attitude I don't see you ever becoming a doctor.

 

[Total180]

Also, I don't consider it "settling". I got into MEDICAL SCHOOL and in 4 years I will be a doctor. If I wanted to become an MD I could probably sacrifice a year or two of PHYSICIAN salary to change the two letters...but I would rather be 2 years closer to my dream, which is to become a doctor. And if you are going to argue with anecdotal evidence there are just as many physicians (MDs) that would tell you there is absolutely no difference in how they interact with their DO colleagues, and that they are just as much of a physician as MDs. I talked to a DO in SC no less (southern states probably know the least about DOs) that said he doubts any of his colleagues (whether DO or MD) even know what his degree is because at that point it doesn't even matter anymore.

 

[MJB]

Perhaps that's your opinion. I never said DOs were less competent of doctors. Ive shadowed MDs and spoke to them about DOs, and the cardiologist at my hospital said (direct quote):

"DOs are a way for people who can't get an MD feel good about themselves for becoming a doctor because this is America, and we want to maximize satisfaction to everyone."

An orthopedic surgeon (MD) also told me:

"There is no difference in the way we interact with each other, and the way things work in the professional setting between MDs and DOs. However in the back of my mind, I know that this person just didn't have what it took to be an MD."

The head of oncology at my hospital told his attending to specifically "not to interview any DOs" for openings on his team. So there is bias in the system - that is undeniable. An MD telling people that being a DO is no different is like me sleeping with a playboy model and telling you that its same feeling as jerking off - when in reality its infinitely better. Hope you get the analogy.

I don't care about the bias, and certainly have respect for the DOs that I know at my hospital. They have taught me many interesting things about medicine, so there is no lack of competency on their part. However I still can't bring myself to settle. If your willing to settle for your goals, then DO is by no means any less of a degree. I just can't compromise on what I want.

The force is strong with this one...

 

[MJB]

And now it makes sense...

Wow.


http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=788803

 

[dude1344]

And now it makes sense...

Wow.


http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=788803

 

[JaggerPlate]

Roflllll. God, pre-med telling a resident the way things work in clinical practice. Got to love it. Well done. I think some surgeons in the prs forum are looking for advice on a complicated reconstruction if you aren't too busy.

 

[JaggerPlate]

And now it makes sense...

Wow.


http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=788803

While I do wish him the best of luck getting into where he wants to go ... Perfect example of always looking for the "why"

 

[Etzio]

You have said this numerous times recently on these boards and it is really starting to bug me. How is getting a DO a "back door" when we are going to go through the exact same training and education as our MD counterparts, in the exact same amount of time (minus the ADDITION of OMM)? I understand when people say now that with the Doctor of Nurse Practitioner degree, and their push towards autonomy, saying that they are trying to "back door" their way into being a doctor when they don't have the same training, and it takes much less time and sacrifices. But just because I am going to a DO school doesn't mean I am not becoming a physician. I still had to do all the same EC's, get awesome grades, study for the MCAT, sacrifice time, money, and even relationships the same as people who are going to MD schools. So you are saying that because my MCAT score wasn't amazing I am "backdooring" my way into medicine? HA. You say you "have nothing against DOs" but you obviously think of them as a lesser physician, and I hope never to actually meet you in person when I am a DO. Oh wait, your gpa is a 2.7, and with your attitude I don't see you ever becoming a doctor.

I edited your post for ya.

No Im saying because your a DO you are. That was my point. -1 for comprehension, but I guess they don't really teach much of that in DO school 😀.

But you will be, because I will be an MD and have you working for me. Ill give you a good salary and easy hours - don't worry.

Tsank you fo that ma man. Its gonna be a real ride when (not if) I get into MED school - not Ididn'tgetintoanMDschoolsothisisthesecondbestoption school.

Seriously, if you had an acceptance to an MD and a DO school, which one would you choose? <---exactly my point.

Maybe its because im Asian I feel this way? Asians/South Asians aren't DOs (except for my Asian cousin, and his South Asian friend who get so much **** from their families their lives suck anyway).