Choosing DO over MD

[crazymedguy123]

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With the new merger, my understanding was that DO students would take the USMLE instead? Wasn't that part of the idea to get rid of having to take two tests?

COMLEX is a requirement for graduation from a DO school. Pretty sure in order for a DO school to be accredited it has to require its students pass COMLEX prior to graduation.

But I think with the merger more DO students will take both COMLEX and USMLE (even though many already were before)

 

[TheRealCookieMonster]

And you only have to report your USMLE to the ACGME right? So technically the COMPLEX becomes a pass/fail test?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

With the new merger, my understanding was that DO students would take the USMLE instead? Wasn't that part of the idea to get rid of having to take two tests?

No.

 

[Ho0v-man]

And you only have to report your USMLE to the ACGME right? So technically the COMPLEX becomes a pass/fail test?

It seems that way, even though DO admin deny this.

 

[Magus5454]

With the new merger, my understanding was that DO students would take the USMLE instead? Wasn't that part of the idea to get rid of having to take two tests?

Not true. COMLEX still required to be licensed.

 

[le_purrde]

I have regretted every day of DO school so far (2 months in now) for not trying harder to improve my app for MD schools. Med school is already hard enough and you will want to beat your head into the wall every time you have to learn 10 different OMM techniques for adjusting someone's f'ing clavicle when you have a legitimate anatomy test looming over your head. You would be a complete fool to purposely put yourself through this if you had the option not to.

 

[TheRealCookieMonster]

I have regretted every day of DO school so far (2 months in now) for not trying harder to improve my app for MD schools. Med school is already hard enough and you will want to beat your head into the wall every time you have to learn 10 different OMM techniques for adjusting someone's f'ing clavicle when you have a legitimate anatomy test looming over your head. You would be a complete fool to purposely put yourself through this if you had the option not to.

You sir... need to drink your Cool Aid and get back to handling your classmates bodies in a purely academic manner.

 

[Ho0v-man]

I have regretted every day of DO school so far (2 months in now) for not trying harder to improve my app for MD schools. Med school is already hard enough and you will want to beat your head into the wall every time you have to learn 10 different OMM techniques for adjusting someone's f'ing clavicle when you have a legitimate anatomy test looming over your head. You would be a complete fool to purposely put yourself through this if you had the option not to.

If you get to choose your techniques for your practical like at my school, just indirect as much as possible!

 

[Angus Avagadro]

I have regretted every day of DO school so far (2 months in now) for not trying harder to improve my app for MD schools. Med school is already hard enough and you will want to beat your head into the wall every time you have to learn 10 different OMM techniques for adjusting someone's f'ing clavicle when you have a legitimate anatomy test looming over your head. You would be a complete fool to purposely put yourself through this if you had the option not to.

It's ok to rant. Pre Clinicall generally is the 2 most miserable years of your life. We all did it. Goro says something like OMM is another form of tuition. Hang in there! Good luck and best wishes

 

[Magus5454]

If you get to choose your techniques for your practical like at my school, just indirect as much as possible!

I wish we did.

 

[GenSurgONLY]

Depends, if you want FM, go DO. However, there several specialties that will be an uphill to impossible journey as a DO.
Ortho, neurosurg, IR, to name a few. @Goro has a nice list of DO friendly and not friendly specialties. For me, the only people who were ever nasty to me were other DOs because I did acgme residency and fellowship.The MDs were fine. Whatever you do, you will be judged on your merits and abilities, not your degree,gender, IMG.
I have worked and taught in both worlds.
I have to agree with other posters that outside of primary care specialties, you will be at a disadvantage as a DO. Of course, just being an MD wont get you a neurosurg residency unless you have all of the other boxes checked, High Step 1 score, research, LORs, ECs. Just my experience. Hope this helps a little. Good luck and best wishes

But isn’t a DO better than a IMG MD(Carribean) school?

 

[ciestar]

But isn’t a DO better than a IMG MD(Carribean) school?

Much

 

[GenSurgONLY]

Much

Okay, because I hear back and forth debates on that. Why do people choose them(IMG MD) if they are bad?

 

[ciestar]

Okay, because I hear back and forth debates on that. Why do people choose them(IMG MD) if they are bad?

Back and forth where? SDN overwhelming will tell you to NEVER go Carib.

And why? Im sure for a number of reasons.. such as desperation, parental pressure, naivety, and impatience.

 

[Tozanzibarbymotorcar]

With the new merger, my understanding was that DO students would take the USMLE instead? Wasn't that part of the idea to get rid of having to take two tests?

COMLEX ==

Okay, because I hear back and forth debates on that. Why do people choose them(IMG MD) if they are bad?

A Carribean school will pretty much take anyone who breathes. Even though DO schools may be less competitive than MD as far as admissions, it is not a walk in the park to get into one, unlike Carib schools. So to answer your question, most don’t have a choice.

 

[GenSurgONLY]

COMLEX ==

A Carribean school will pretty much take anyone who breathes. Even though DO schools may be less competitive than MD as far as admissions, it is not a walk in the park to get into one, unlike Carib schools. So to answer your question, most don’t have a choice.

Thanks! Very succinct!

 

[Angus Avagadro]

But isn’t a DO better than a IMG MD(Carribean) school?

I think IMGs from Caribbean schools have more obstacles than DOs.

 

[Goro]

IMGs from Caribbean schools have more obstacles than DOs.

FTFY

 

[Stagg737]

Eh my school had that same stuff on our first OMM test and we definitely aren't very OMM-centric. I just always assumed it was a gimmie exam for free points.

Yep, that was the only test in med school I got 100% on without a curve and I only studied the night before.

First woman DO, California incident, year DOs and MDs were same in military. Random history questions, weee

If you're at KCU, then I wouldn't complain about it. It was literally one hour-long lecture for us that covers the whole "history" of OMM. Wait until you have some of your bioethics lectures where it's 2 hours of talking about implications of team-based medicine or the "ethics of pain management" where there's required readings and online quizzes before you start talking about useless lectures...

With the new merger, my understanding was that DO students would take the USMLE instead? Wasn't that part of the idea to get rid of having to take two tests?

The idea was that the AOA didn't want a merger but the ACGME did so the ACGME strong-armed the AOA into it by saying they would refuse to allow DOs to pursue ACGME fellowships. When the AOA heard that they gave in. The idea that the COMLEX will eventually be phased out is just hopeful thinking at this point, but it's a logical end-conclusion seeing as there will soon be no reason to administer it other than to test OMM knowledge (which can easily be done as a COMAT exam) and to make big $$$$ for the NBOME.

 

[drhop]

FTFY

As I know and have been exposed to MD's from Caribbean schools, there is no comparison to American Medical Schòol Graduates! There is a well structured and monitored guidelines to be into a US medical school.
the years, two caribbean schools have stood out, but not without a great bias against them.
These schools have managed to hang on , as long as Congress has looked the other way, essentially due to lack of medical grads from US medical schools and shortage.
It would be like comparing apples and oranges ! Whether it a DO or an MD medical school!

Sent from my SM-J730GM using SDN mobile

 

[Magus5454]

Oh I know all about useless bioethics lectures already