degree of difficulty in specialty matching

[yasha83]

---

Members do not see this ad.

It has often been said that certain specialties are extremely difficult for a DO to land since those same specialties are also extremely competitive for MD's, let alone DO's. This might be an interesting thing to discuss to see what people think. What kind of input/experience/opinions do you guys have on this issue? I have heard ophtamology, dermatology, anesthesia among others thrown around as very difficult for DO's to land.

 

[HunterGatherer]

This is not the case for anesthesiology at this point. Check out their forum. There are a couple of long DO threads on the first 2 pages with DO in the current application process or previously matched that says it is not much of a problem.

I have no interests in matching surgery, derm, radiology, and opthamology so I'm comfortable with going DO.

It has often been said that certain specialties are extremely difficult for a DO to land since those same specialties are also extremely competitive for MD's, let alone DO's. This might be an interesting thing to discuss to see what people think. What kind of input/experience/opinions do you guys have on this issue? I have heard ophtamology, dermatology, anesthesia among others thrown around as very difficult for DO's to land.

 

[Taus]

I've posted in a few other threads about this...but until you have your grades and boards in the upper 90th percentiles, quality research, connections, letters of rec. the whole "creme of the crop" deal, etc......you can't begin to discuss/worry about it being your degree holding you down....and remember that there are DO-only residencies....

 

[Fermata]

It depends on all kinds of things like which specialty, your grades/boards, connections you've made, region favoritism, etc.

You'll never know until you apply.

 

[Twitch]

Anyone know how hard it is to match Rheumatology?

 

[DOctorJay]

Rheum is a fellowship after internal med residency. Iserson's book rates it as somewhat easy to get into but remember this is after an IM residency and it looks like it's a 2 year fellowship.

J

 

[letsrun4it]

I can only contribute this to the discussion:

Even something generally competitive like General Surgery I've seen on the osteopathic board that if you really want it you can get it as long as you're middle of the pack. He/she said that the specialty surgeries are extremely tough but general surgery there is enough spots available where its not impossible at all.