D.O/PhD ???

[yadave]

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Hey guys!

Here's my question:

I want to do a D.O/PhD program. I love the idea but I wanted to know, what are the schools I should be looking at to do that? I think a D.O/PhD is like the PERFECT mix...you get to apply your medicine to research and really expand your horizons. If someone could guide me to the best program I would appreciate it...Thank yoU!

Also, are D.O/PhD graduates looked at with the same respect and regard as MD/PhD graduates? (I know touchy question but still...)

 

[DannMann99]

Well it depends on what you want to get a Ph.D. in...

I know PCOM has a DO/PhD in health policy...

As far as respect, no. It doesn't take much smarts to get a DO/PhD... now an MD/PhD... wow... now that is ritzy. Golly those guys are geniuses.

Use your head bro. DO's = 20% of all med students, are acreditable by the same agencies, recognized across the country, and have a full scope of practice.

Who cares if people think less of you. If they do its on YOU to show them what you're worth.

Please forgive both my sarcasm and angst

 

[yadave]

well I was not meaning it as I think MD is more reputable. I meant that since the concept of MD/PhD has been around longer, how does it look if a DO goes out and also does a PhD alongside? Because thati s what I will do. I looked into PCOM but health policy is not really my thing. I want a PhD in neuroscience to be honest. Any suggestions for schooling?

ps-im not a "bro" im a "sista"

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Here's info on dual degrees. Not sure if there is any additional info in the CIB, but it has a little blurb about each school's DO/PhD program, if applicable. If not applicable, it says they don't have one.

 

[DannMann99]

it looks like they are copy cats... dirty dirty copy cats.

I'm going to cut through my own personal bull**** and give you the truth here.

DO = MD despite historical differences. If you ask people in the healthcare field they will affirm that. Some percentage of the public arent too aware and arguably so because we make up less then 1/5th of total doctor population.

PhD = PhD whether that be earned in conjunction with an MD or DO degree. You will have your respect.

Finding a school that offers a PhD in neuroscience AND a DO degre I think will be hard to find. It might be doable but you'll have to look into it school by school. Theres alot of schools but not a ton (30 i think) Get to google and check out your options.

The only thing the DO degree lacks in comparisson to our MD counterparts is awareness, and slowly we are getting it.

EDIT: you're at PCOM right Cbear? Are you a 1st year?

 

[Wylde]

imo, there is a disparity in respect between an MD/PhD vs. DO/PhD not because of the medical degree, but because of the PhD.

DO programs are usually not affiliated with top tier PhD programs, whereas a lot of the MSTP MD/PhD programs are at top universities, so the PhD carries a lot more weight.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

imo, there is a disparity in respect between an MD/PhD vs. DO/PhD not because of the medical degree, but because of the PhD.

DO programs are usually not affiliated with top tier PhD programs, whereas a lot of the MSTP MD/PhD programs are at top universities, so the PhD carries a lot more weight.

This is the same as saying University X is not as prestigious as Harvard, so I wouldn't get a PhD from there. This may or may not have implications in your future career. It depends on your career plans and how much work you put into your academic pursuits after graduation.

 

[Wylde]

This is the same as saying University X is not as prestigious as Harvard, so I wouldn't get a PhD from there. This may or may not have implications in your future career. It depends on your career plans and how much work you put into your academic pursuits after graduation.

the reality is that where you get your PhD DOES have an effect on where you will be competitive for postdocs/jobs.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

the reality is that where you get your PhD DOES have an effect on where you will be competitive for postdocs/jobs.

I agree. And this will matter if you plan to work at some institutions/environments.

 

[lincolnparadox]

Still, school isn't everything. For your PhD, your publications and contacts at conferences have more to do with your future opportunities.

A good prestigious school is like a foot in the door. But, a half dozen good papers and a few connections is more of a polite knock.

Any advice beyond that depends upon what you want to get your PhD in...

 

[BobBarker]

OSU offers a PhD in neuroscience.

 

[sookie]

That's just what I was about to say, bobbarker. I know a few of the DO/PhD students, actually. They seem pretty happy with it. If you get accepted into the DO program at OSU-COM, you can opt for the PhD, but you can decide later if you want to drop it.

 

[laboholic]

Although a few DO schools offer a DO/PhD (notably, MSUCOM, TCOM and PCOM) I dont believe that any of them are true "MSTP" programs... meaning they are not funded by the NIH...meaning that they do not pay for all of your medical training as does the typical allopathic MSTP program. Nonetheless, if you are set on the DO/PhD, I would pick a larger school like MSUCOM that has more labs, more resources and more opportunities in research. Since MSU is a large public school with an MD program, it will probably be your best bet.

On a side note, the AOA is generally more interested in primary care physicians and not physician researchers, so I would encourage you to think hard about your choices before you proceed. You might want to contact students in the MSUCOM DO/PhD program to see if they would "do it all over again".

If you decide on the DO/PhD, I wish you good luck. Osteopathy desperately needs more people like you who are interested in research.

 

[yadave]

Although a few DO schools offer a DO/PhD (notably, MSUCOM, TCOM and PCOM) I dont believe that any of them are true "MSTP" programs... meaning they are not funded by the NIH...meaning that they do not pay for all of your medical training as does the typical allopathic MSTP program. Nonetheless, if you are set on the DO/PhD, I would pick a larger school like MSUCOM that has more labs, more resources and more opportunities in research. Since MSU is a large public school with an MD program, it will probably be your best bet.

On a side note, the AOA is generally more interested in primary care physicians and not physician researchers, so I would encourage you to think hard about your choices before you proceed. You might want to contact students in the MSUCOM DO/PhD program to see if they would "do it all over again".

If you decide on the DO/PhD, I wish you good luck. Osteopathy desperately needs more people like you who are interested in research.

Thank you for the good advice. I will contact them. Yeah I mean right now, I jsut need to get into a SMP then consider all this. But I would like to have a foot in research along with my medical degree.

 

[laboholic]

You know, a PhD is not needed to do research as a physician. Many MD/PhD's have told me this. Why dont you consider applying for a year out program such as Cloister/Howard Hughes or Doris Duke after your second year. These are great programs where you can do research with high-profile researchers at top institutions. They offer special start-up grants to fellows after they graduate medical school, and give you great first-hand experience in the medical-research field. PM me if you want more info