CME Crunch and Concerns for the Future

[necronomicon]

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Before I get flamed for being a troll or anything like that, let me say this: this is absolutely not to be made into another MD vs. DO thread. Further, this has nothing to do with the quality of education of the osteopathic system or the students/graduates/practitioners from those institutions. It is, however, a thread which poses some of my personal concerns with the field (and, judging by what I have read on here, a concern to others, as well). I plan to matriculate into a DO school this fall and have no qualms about it as far as quality of education, OMT, rotations or any of the general fears that some MD friends/mentors have issued to me. I do not in any way feel inferior to my friends which will be entering MD programs and do not want this thread going that direction. However, the idea of not being able to reach my ultimate goal as a practitioner (whatever specialty that may be) is truly concerning to me.

With the GME "crunch" poised to start its clench by 2016, what do you consider the future of osteopathic medicine? How secure is it? How able will graduates be to match into their desired specialty fields? More importantly, will we see an increased stigma against the DO degree which will result in even more difficulty placing in ACGME residencies such as general surgery?

I try to balance the doom-n-gloom topics I read with the optimistic side, but there seems to be some valid concern in this topic, especially considering the minimal residency opportunities that currently exist within the AOA for DO's (and these opportunities are even more limited for the uber-competitive specialties).

I am looking for some insight (perhaps, some reassurance), as I am curious what others think about the questions/comments I have posed. I have no hard data to back up any of my comments, and am not implying that my opinions are factual--so if anyone has empirical data referencing the topic, please post it up. Also, I am certainly not trying to be degrading to anybody, so if anyone is offended by these comments/concerns, I apologize.

Thanks, and let's try to keep this civil.

 

[cliquesh]

No one knows whats going to happen. I think, in general, DOs will become more accepted and there will be less of a stigma. However, it is undeniable that schools are expanding rapidly. There will be 4623 DO graduates this year and 5788 in 2015. I'd imagine your class will have around 6200. The AOA cannot keep up with that kind of expansion, so the ratio of DO grads to AOA residencies is going to go way up, which is going to lead to fierce competition for competitive AOA residencies.

So what about ACGME programs? I think its going to be about the same as it is now. Program directors will prefer USMDs, but will take DOs if they are qualified. However, since there will be more graduates from both MD and DO schools, I think the averages for all specialities will rise, and it will be harder to match competitive fields.

But who knows. When I applied to school, my mentor said I'd be the first to experience the crunch, so I guess we will know next year.

I also think radiology is going to be the next DO friendly field; kind of like anesthesia.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

In short, I think the crunch will be greatly felt by FMGs/IMGs. It won't affect DOs too much, but I do think competitive specialtiies will become more competitive while also becoming more DO friendly. I think this will last about 3-4 years before DOs see a crunch,but by that time, health care will be figured out and there will be a drastic change in everything. Mainly specialty pay will go down and more will be flocking to primary care for the lifestyle.

This is all based on my own conclusions. Nothing to support it that is reliable. But that's what I am calling. Either way, 2016 will see a crunch for IMGs and FMGs and not DOs.

 

[ManBroDude]

If you don't mind community programs or living in MI/PA, you won't feel the crunch at all.

 

[gators21]

Nobody knows the answer to this. But major major changes are coming.
I spoke to a cardiologist the other day who is really concerned. He said that medicare is starting to audit 100% of his admissions, pre-admission and withholding reimbursments for up to 60 days. Currently is is see a patient, bill medicare, get paid pennies. Now he is getting auditted so that if their is any kind of mistake on the "admission status" he gets nothing for that admission. And even if everything is done right, he wont get paid for 60 days. When you have to pay overhead, staff, equipment, ect. it is huge. Hes having to dip into personal savings to just pay his staff.
Now cardiologists have had it nice for a long time, but this is especially troubling.
The good news for DOs is that we will always have OMM as a fallback. OMM can be treated as an upfront, cash only business. A lot of potential for much needed cash to supplement your practice.

 

[SoulinNeed]

There will be a crunch, but it will be felt by FMGs/IMGs before anyone else. BTW, SDN likes to believe that residency spots are stagnant, but that's just not true. DO residencies increase by about a 100 spots a year, and MD residency spots increase by about 500 spots a year over the past few years. Now, that's not keeping up with the expansion, but like I said, it's going to be felt by FMGs/IMGs first.

 

[necronomicon]

I didn't really read your post and I have a bad headache right now, but I think you mean GME, not CME.

Yep...meant GME. Still forms of medical education, either way.

 

[DrMediterranean]

if you don't mind community programs or living in mi/pa, you won't feel the crunch at all.

+1

 

[necronomicon]

Aside form the obvious answer that MSUCOM and PCOM have large rotation slots and big residency networks, what about other areas of the country? I have no problem doing residency in either of those states--hell, I don't mind where I do it at all so long as I can place in my desired field.

 

[Brachyury]

No one knows whats going to happen. I think, in general, DOs will become more accepted and there will be less of a stigma. However, it is undeniable that schools are expanding rapidly. There will be 4623 DO graduates this year and 5788 in 2015. I'd imagine your class will have around 6200. The AOA cannot keep up with that kind of expansion, so the ratio of DO grads to AOA residencies is going to go way up, which is going to lead to fierce competition for competitive AOA residencies.

So what about ACGME programs? I think its going to be about the same as it is now. Program directors will prefer USMDs, but will take DOs if they are qualified. However, since there will be more graduates from both MD and DO schools, I think the averages for all specialities will rise, and it will be harder to match competitive fields.

But who knows. When I applied to school, my mentor said I'd be the first to experience the crunch, so I guess we will know next year.

I also think radiology is going to be the next DO friendly field; kind of like anesthesia.[/QUOTE]

This is wishful thinking

 

[donkeykong1]

mmmm crunch