Depressed about the whole "DO" thing

[toys4life]

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I want to go into DO medicine, but my sister and brother always laugh at me when I ask them about what they think. They always tell me you will always be just a DO not a doctor (MD) 🙁....Im not sure about how DO's are treated in the workplace, is it like that? Do people talk down to you guys? Also do I have a fighting chance of going into a good residency like dermatology or anesthesiology?

Thanks guys

 

[KingstonPre]

All DO's are called 'doctor' in the hospital. I've worked with MD's and DO's at the same time and they treat each other as equal colleagues. The nurses and lab-techs also recognize what a DO is...a doctor. It's usually the less-informed patient that doesn't know.

My sibling is an Attending MD and encourages me to go DO, even though I have better Undergrad stats. There's no difference between MD and DO, really. There are DO-specific Derm. and Anes. residency programs.

If you care about what your nametag says, then go MD.

If you want to save lives, have the respect of your colleagues, and earn enough money to laugh all the way to the bank when your brother and sister joke around, then go DO or MD. That's what I'm doing.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

I want to go into DO medicine, but my sister and brother always laugh at me when I ask them about what they think. They always tell me you will always be just a DO not a doctor (MD) 🙁....Im not sure about how DO's are treated in the workplace, is it like that? Do people talk down to you guys? Also do I have a fighting chance of going into a good residency like dermatology or anesthesiology?

Thanks guys

There will always be people (MDs, nurses, lay people) that harbor feelings that look down upon DOs and that don't see the DO as being equal to an MD. But they are equal. The only difference occurs in the minds of snotty people. Do whatever you need to do to reach your goals. Getting into competitive residencies isn't impossible but it will take extra work on your part. I was looking at some DO matches yesterday and saw that a DO school had someone who matched an anesthesiology residency at John Hopkins. 👍

 

[KG216]

Your brother and sister sound uneducated as to the similarities and differences of MD and DO. Are they allopathically trained physicians or not working within the medical field at all? If they are not part of the medical field, I guess you could take it upon yourself to educate them on the topic as nicely as possible haha🙂

Ask them to search "physician" or "doctor" and see what pops up...notice that DO is included under this term. DO and doctor are synonamous just as MD and doctor are ..."the title physician is now widely used in the broad sense, and applies to any medical practitioner holding a medical degree. In the United States and Canada, the term physician usually describes all those holding the degrees of Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). (Yeah it is wikipedia- trying to answer this quickly to get back to studying- but you will find the same idea in many other places as well!!).

I have asked DO's the same question as to whether they have ever encountered any problems, they all have said absolutely not. Good luck with whatever you choose, either way I am sure you will get into the field you are interested in!

 

[toys4life]

Ok, great Ill go DO!...just gotta break the news to my parents...somehow

 

[Bacchus]

I dont know if this will work for you, but my parents had doubts at first just because doctor is associated with MD. Their claims weren't harsh, just curious, and wondering why I wouldn't be getting an MD.

I told them the following:

1) Our PCP went to the same school as I'll be graduating from.
2) X's neurologist is a DO from CCOM. (They liked this because they put a lot of faith in this DO)
3) My grandma and great grandma see a DO from PCOM.

 

[toys4life]

Oh and one more thing, if you guys dont mind to answer. Can I finish my degree in the summer before starting med school or are there courses I have to take in the summer?

Edit: Also, patients know that I am a doctor (in the future) if I am DO? Cause most patients only know MD

 

[spicedmanna]

Edit: Also, patients know that I am a doctor (in the future) if I am DO? Cause most patients only know MD

Why don't you go shadow any DO and see for yourself?

 

[PunkmedGirl]

Oh and one more thing, if you guys dont mind to answer. Can I finish my degree in the summer before starting med school or are there courses I have to take in the summer?

Edit: Also, patients know that I am a doctor (in the future) if I am DO? Cause most patients only know MD

You can finish your degree in the summer if the school you are accepted to doesn't begin in the summer. I believe there are a couple of schools that begin during the early part of summer.

When you graduate from medical school you will be a doctor and will be addressed as such. There maybe a few people who don't know what a DO is but you can explain it to them. If you are a good doctor, it will not matter what initials you have behind you name.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I dont know if this will work for you, but my parents had doubts at first just because doctor is associated with MD. Their claims weren't harsh, just curious, and wondering why I wouldn't be getting an MD.

I told them the following:

1) Our PCP went to the same school as I'll be graduating from.
2) X's neurologist is a DO from CCOM. (They liked this because they put a lot of faith in this DO)
3) My grandma and great grandma see a DO from PCOM.

Yup. This is the best way to get past any weird feelings. It amazes me that some parents/friends etc who are in NO way involved with medicine get caught up in this thing. I remember one time on SDN someone was talking about how their unemployed uncle was giving them crap at a christmas party for going DO. It's like really??? Most people don't realize how amazingly hard it is to become a physician. The passion it takes, the dedication, sacrifices, etc, and how there are two types of fully licensed physicians in the US.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Edit: Also, patients know that I am a doctor (in the future) if I am DO? Cause most patients only know MD

They will get the hint when you introduce yourself as Dr. Toys4life, their physician, and you treat them. I'm not trying to sound rude, but you really shouldn't be digging this deep. There are way more things to fret over between here and introducing yourself as Dr ... worry about those. Remember too that no one if forcing you to be a DO. You could always only apply allopathic and if it REALLY bothers you, you could go to the Caribbean (though not recommended).

 

[panamishe]

No one cares at all in the workplace. None of your patients will ask you if you're an MD or a DO. I worked in the ER at Johns Hopkins and the best resident there was a DO. Do what you wanna do!

 

[Thomas Hearns]

Show them your paycheck in 10 years

 

[rddoms]

To be honest, I had some concerns when I first started researching the DO route. That was gone after I visited KCOM for the first time. I was from an area without many DO's, so I had no clue.

Once you are in school, you realize that most of the 'DO bias' is only in the pre-med groups as well as really old-school MD's. I am getting an amazing education, and couldn't be happier. I would recommend visiting some schools you would like to attend... your concerns will likely disappear after that.

 

[JaggerPlate]

To be honest, I had some concerns when I first started researching the DO route. That was gone after I visited KCOM for the first time. I was from an area without many DO's, so I had no clue.

Once you are in school, you realize that most of the 'DO bias' is only in the pre-med groups as well as really old-school MD's. I am getting an amazing education, and couldn't be happier. I would recommend visiting some schools you would like to attend... your concerns will likely disappear after that.

To be honest ... I feel like there could (potentially) be some bias in the middle generation that we are going to school with now/will be practicing with in the future, but the best way to kill this is to attend top notch institutions like KCOM, be awesome, and leave no room for assumptions. I know a DO who worked in a big academic hospital as a gas man in CA. He said there was some punk MD g-surg resident who used to bash DOs who he started to work with. Eventually the guy saw what an awesome doc he was and the comments ceased. One night the resident needed some emergency surg and he was taken to the hospital and demanded that the DO do the Anes work. I really doubt this guy makes these comments anymore.

 

[SolanoDoc]

Don't listen to what people tell you, these days DOs are pretty much equal to MDs. The school where I am going to does pretty well on the match.

 

[iatros]

i would put bet that in about 15 years the DO/MD struggle will be much less of an issue than it seems to be today. look how far mid level practicioners (NP, PA,CRNA, AA) have come in the past 15 yrs.

i think the osteopathic profession gains a lot of street cred when people read in the newspaper that doctor soandso DO is head of neurosurg at X hospital.

what pisses me off is that DO's get no love from the media... for example, if they had a show about Greg House DO, i think people would be clamoring all over themselves trying to get into osteo med schools.

 

[Biology101]

what pisses me off is that DO's get no love from the media... for example, if they had a show about Greg House DO, i think people would be clamoring all over themselves trying to get into osteo med schools.

Exactly!

 

[Duluth]

I want to go into DO medicine, but my sister and brother always laugh at me when I ask them about what they think. They always tell me you will always be just a DO not a doctor (MD) 🙁....Im not sure about how DO's are treated in the workplace, is it like that? Do people talk down to you guys? Also do I have a fighting chance of going into a good residency like dermatology or anesthesiology?

Thanks guys

Go into medicine because it is something you want. If you are worried about titles, or what people think of titles this may not be for you. No patient was ever helped by a title. If you love helping people, MD, DO, whatever you want, go for it because YOU want to, not based on the opinions of others about your profession.

 

[rddoms]

I completely agree. I think that the OP should've named the title "Excited about the DO thing, but my friends and family are not". It is medical school, so who cares what others think? No one will be in need of extra patients, DO or MD.

 

[Dr 14220]

I'm just a PA student, but the physician who teaches our dermatology block is actually a DO. Not only does the guy know his ****, but judging by his suits, car, and wife (who appears in the PPT presentations every now and then from pics of family vacations)

......his struggle with being a DO doesn't seem all too intense....

dude went to CCOM

 

[toys4life]

I completely agree. I think that the OP should've named the title "Excited about the DO thing, but my friends and family are not". It is medical school, so who cares what others think? No one will be in need of extra patients, DO or MD.

I agree with you, but my sister is not really the "nicest" person out there. She looks for one small flaw in someone and she begins to press on it. She called me a failure over 30 times today, when I broke out the news to my parents that I was going DO...ignoring people like my sister could be really hard sometimes and I dont wanna face anything like that in the hospital, that being said, from what I read today from everyone's feedback it shouldnt be a problem, since they treat us like MD doctors 😀. Thanks guys for the support!

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I agree with you, but my sister is not really the "nicest" person out there. She looks for one small flaw in someone and she begins to press on it. She called me a failure over 30 times today, when I broke out the news to my parents that I was going DO...ignoring people like my sister could be really hard sometimes and I dont wanna face anything like that in the hospital, that being said, from what I read today from everyone's feedback it shouldnt be a problem, since they treat us like MD doctors 😀. Thanks guys for the support!

Welcome to life. In every stage of your life there will be someone doubting and putting you down, but you have to be strong enough to move pass that. All you need to worry about its getting into school and succeeding in becoming a doctor. My brother and his ******ed father are exactly the same way, but it doesn't affect me because I know they are both idiots when it come to medicine.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I agree with you, but my sister is not really the "nicest" person out there. She looks for one small flaw in someone and she begins to press on it. She called me a failure over 30 times today, when I broke out the news to my parents that I was going DO...ignoring people like my sister could be really hard sometimes and I dont wanna face anything like that in the hospital, that being said, from what I read today from everyone's feedback it shouldnt be a problem, since they treat us like MD doctors 😀. Thanks guys for the support!

Ummm ... I think 'not the nicest' was the best complement your sister will ever get. She called you a failure 30 times in one day because you've decided to become a doctor??? Jesus, where do you live???

Like Punk said ... welcome to life. People are gonna give you flack for stuff around every corner. When you're laying in bed at night, there is one person in the world you have to be accountable for ... and that's you. You can't live your life constantly trying to please other people, you'll be miserable. Just tell your sister she looks fat or something and she'll leave you alone so you can focus on becoming a physician.

 

[trep14]

Ummm ... I think 'not the nicest' was the best complement your sister will ever get. She called you a failure 30 times in one day because you've decided to become a doctor??? Jesus, where do you live???

Like Punk said ... welcome to life. People are gonna give you flack for stuff around every corner. When you're laying in bed at night, there is one person in the world you have to be accountable for ... and that's you. You can't live your life constantly trying to please other people, you'll be miserable. Just tell your sister she looks fat or something and she'll leave you alone so you can focus on becoming a physician.

^^^ +1

At the end of the day, the only people you are accountable for are yourself and the patients you treat. Don't get in to medicine to impress your parents and your sister. Sure, the prestige of being a doctor doesn't hurt, but you can't get too wrapped up in such things.

 

[spicedmanna]

I know it's hard, but you have to realize at some point, particularly if you want to have a happy life, that what people say sometimes is more about them than about you, and that you have to do what makes sense for you, even if nobody else understands or approves of it. Sometimes it's even good to listen with an intentional filter of taking in what is useful and discarding what is not. Almost everyone has an opinion, but it may not be useful to you. If it feels right for you to choose the DO route, then do it, wholeheartedly. You can't control how your family views your choice, but by being successful in your heartfelt path, you may find that, incidentally, they will start to view things the right way. If not, then eff em. Life's too short to continually try to please others, particularly if it doesn't suit you. Seriously, you can't make everyone happy. Start with yourself.

 

[Mohammed1989]

lol reading this thread made me think of what my dad said. Forget MD they're show offs, go the DO way that's the way for you. I laugh everytime he says this. It's a joke of course.

I see it as if you want to be a doctor go either way. Your sister, well not all siblings get a long. My mom laughs everytime I say I'm going to become a doctor because I was always lazy until I went back to school(forreal not to bs). Now she's understanding I'm working on making my goal a reality. You just need to tune your sister out for the time being. Once your holding that medical degree and she realizes you are a doctor. You can give her a wise crack if you want.

 

[o Farside o]

I will just add my two cents. In my town, the medical DIRECTOR at the hospital is a DO. I shadowed the entire emergency room staff. The BEST physician they had there was a DO. And when I say "the best," I am not voicing my opinion, as other MDs and DOs in the emergency department have told me so. Regardless, once you graduate, I doubt people really care whether you graduated as a DO or an MD as long as you can proficiently handle the rigors of being a physician.

 

[MSSM2013]

i would put bet that in about 15 years the DO/MD struggle will be much less of an issue than it seems to be today. look how far mid level practicioners (NP, PA,CRNA, AA) have come in the past 15 yrs.

i think the osteopathic profession gains a lot of street cred when people read in the newspaper that doctor soandso DO is head of neurosurg at X hospital.

what pisses me off is that DO's get no love from the media... for example, if they had a show about Greg House DO, i think people would be clamoring all over themselves trying to get into osteo med schools.

you know why you don't get love from media? Because it just seems that every DO I know don't really like to go into the whole "DO" thing. They introduce themselves as Dr. so and so and never go into their title. their patient never find out.

My girlfriend's PCP is a DO, but she only found out after she started dating me.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

you know why you don't get love from media? Because it just seems that every DO I know don't really like to go into the whole "DO" thing. They introduce themselves as Dr. so and so and never go into their title. their patient never find out.

My girlfriend's PCP is a DO, but she only found out after she started dating me.

I don't know too many doctors when introducing themselves to patients mention their degree title.

 

[beeFs]

They will get the hint when you introduce yourself as Dr. Toys4life, their physician, and you treat them. I'm not trying to sound rude, but you really shouldn't be digging this deep. There are way more things to fret over between here and introducing yourself as Dr ... worry about those. Remember too that no one if forcing you to be a DO. You could always only apply allopathic and if it REALLY bothers you, you could go to the Caribbean (though not recommended).

Haha I hope that your name tag in the future says Dr. Toys4Life......I would be your first patient.

 

[combatwombat]

I know a DO who was given a name tag with an MD after his name, just so people wouldn't ask him stupid questions like that

 

[Longshanks]

you know why you don't get love from media? Because it just seems that every DO I know don't really like to go into the whole "DO" thing. They introduce themselves as Dr. so and so and never go into their title. their patient never find out.

My girlfriend's PCP is a DO, but she only found out after she started dating me.

I don't know too many doctors when introducing themselves to patients mention their degree title.

Why should they go into their title? They are both physicians and treating patients with equal qualifications under the law? Unless they are doing OMM with patients or have some sort of philosophical inclination about osteopathy's "holistic" view, then maybe they should explain their methods and beliefs in osteopathic terms, but otherwise what is the difference between the two and why use the time to explain the meaning and history of the degree when they should be trying to treat the patient?

 

[Bacchus]

I know a DO who was given a name tag with an MD after his name, just so people wouldn't ask him stupid questions like that

That's a whole other problem...

 

[Longshanks]

That's a whole other problem...

Especially if the physician requested it.

I know a chief resident who the security department messed up his ID, so his white coat would say John Doe, DO, while right beneath his his ID card said John Doe, MD. Was a bit confusing until he told me he was a NYCOM grad.

 

[Grey Wind]

Especially if the physician requested it.

I know a chief resident who the security department messed up his ID, so his white coat would say John Doe, DO, while right beneath his his ID card said John Doe, MD. Was a bit confusing until he told me he was a NYCOM grad.

you have to realize that the people who actually make the hospital ID cards probably dont know the difference. they see a doctor come in who needs an ID card, they take your picture, and don't ask about your specific degree. i think this accounts for some of the badges that have MD instead of DO. i don't really think its a big deal, they probably didnt either so perhaps they just didnt want to go through the process of getting a new badge made.

 

[kopitar]

During my time in the hospital I discovered that everybody is too busy to even give it thought. All the doctors are treated the same. The majority of the nurses and staff I spoke to about it did not even know there was a difference. Both types of physicians are a necessity to our growing populations. In my opinion osteopathic medical education works better for me as you get extra training in manipulative therapy and also have the ability to travel the country doing rotations, among other reasons. For others the MD route is more beneficial. I suggest you further research the two "titles" on your own, and not make up your mind solely on the feedback from SDN.

 

[175961]

you know why you don't get love from media? Because it just seems that every DO I know don't really like to go into the whole "DO" thing. They introduce themselves as Dr. so and so and never go into their title. their patient never find out.

My girlfriend's PCP is a DO, but she only found out after she started dating me.

oh yes. DO medicine is a big secret. shhhhhh. I sure hope my patients never find out that I'm a DO once I'm out practicing. If i'm lucky they will think I'm an MD.🙄

/end sarcasm (for all you who are about to crap their pants in an angry reply to me)

 

[DrSukhijawitz]

Is the "DO < MD" bias related to the fact that it is easier to get into a DO school?

If it were equally as hard to get into a DO school as it was MD, would the bias disappear?

Also, is it harder to get into your choice of residency programs after DO?

 

[175961]

Is the "DO < MD" bias related to the fact that it is easier to get into a DO school?

If it were equally as hard to get into a DO school as it was MD, would the bias disappear?

Also, is it harder to get into your choice of residency programs after DO?

do a little search....this topic has been addressed many, many times

 

[Longshanks]

you have to realize that the people who actually make the hospital ID cards probably dont know the difference. they see a doctor come in who needs an ID card, they take your picture, and don't ask about your specific degree. i think this accounts for some of the badges that have MD instead of DO. i don't really think its a big deal, they probably didnt either so perhaps they just didnt want to go through the process of getting a new badge made.

Oh, I know. That's what I was trying to say.

The security people can be silly sometimes. I had an intern position somewhere at one hospital, and maybe they misunderstood what my intern program was, but yes.. they made my ID card up as a PGY-1. It made for some good laughs though.

 

[Grey Wind]

Oh, I know. That's what I was trying to say.

The security people can be silly sometimes. I had an intern position somewhere at one hospital, and maybe they misunderstood what my intern program was, but yes.. they made my ID card up as a PGY-1. It made for some good laughs though.

good times

 

[dkrames1]

After reading the history about DO's I found it really interesting to note that most foreign med students from Europe and Asia are not officially entitled MD, they are given MB, MS, etc. When they come to the US they are allowed to adapt the MD label after they pass foreign student boards. In the late 70's some DO's in put a case in front of their state's supreme court that said either force these graduates to go by their label or allow us to use MD as well since we have the same training. This case was of course against the wishes of the AOA, but the state allowed them to put the MD label on their cards and jackets. Similar cases were spread around the country with a majority of them being thrown out. I agree with everyone in this thread that you will not experience any job unprofessionalism. I am going to a DO school next year and am very proud of it. My mother was upset at first until we attended an open house at CCOM and she realized that I want to be a part of something that could give me more tools to treat patients. As far as my personal experience as an EMT in St. Louis I find that more and more BIG ALLOPATHIC HOSPITALS (Barnes, Slu, St. John's) Trauma 1 ERs, have many DO's in the ER. When I am running "basic" transports I have to get a doctors signature on one of the transport forms and Medicare requires that the doctor DO or MD put their title. One day the form didnt have a title so I asked the ER nurse, what is the doctor's title? She said in a very rude, yet what I found to be humorous response... "What the hell does it matter? He's a doctor!" ... of course for documentation I went to the doctor as asked him nicely... he was a DO.

 

[kopitar]

After reading the history about DO's I found it really interesting to note that most foreign med students from Europe and Asia are not officially entitled MD, they are given MB, MS, etc. When they come to the US they are allowed to adapt the MD label after they pass foreign student boards. In the late 70's some DO's in put a case in front of their state's supreme court that said either force these graduates to go by their label or allow us to use MD as well since we have the same training. This case was of course against the wishes of the AOA, but the state allowed them to put the MD label on their cards and jackets. Similar cases were spread around the country with a majority of them being thrown out. I agree with everyone in this thread that you will not experience any job unprofessionalism. I am going to a DO school next year and am very proud of it. My mother was upset at first until we attended an open house at CCOM and she realized that I want to be a part of something that could give me more tools to treat patients. As far as my personal experience as an EMT in St. Louis I find that more and more BIG ALLOPATHIC HOSPITALS (Barnes, Slu, St. John's) Trauma 1 ERs, have many DO's in the ER. When I am running "basic" transports I have to get a doctors signature on one of the transport forms and Medicare requires that the doctor DO or MD put their title. One day the form didnt have a title so I asked the ER nurse, what is the doctor's title? She said in a very rude, yet what I found to be humorous response... "What the hell does it matter? He's a doctor!" ... of course for documentation I went to the doctor as asked him nicely... he was a DO.

👍 love it

 

[facetguy]

In the real world, nobody cares whether you're a DO or an MD. All the DOs in my area are just as busy and successful as the MDs, and many groups are mixed DO/MD anyway. I've never hesitated to refer a patient to a DO. If you don't think you'll be into the OMM thing, I wouldn't sweat it that much; lots of DOs don't use it. Relax. You'll be fine. As for your parents et al, just show them examples of prominent DOs; they'll be fine with it all too.

 

[JaggerPlate]

After reading the history about DO's I found it really interesting to note that most foreign med students from Europe and Asia are not officially entitled MD, they are given MB, MS, etc. When they come to the US they are allowed to adapt the MD label after they pass foreign student boards. In the late 70's some DO's in put a case in front of their state's supreme court that said either force these graduates to go by their label or allow us to use MD as well since we have the same training. This case was of course against the wishes of the AOA, but the state allowed them to put the MD label on their cards and jackets. Similar cases were spread around the country with a majority of them being thrown out. I agree with everyone in this thread that you will not experience any job unprofessionalism. I am going to a DO school next year and am very proud of it. My mother was upset at first until we attended an open house at CCOM and she realized that I want to be a part of something that could give me more tools to treat patients. As far as my personal experience as an EMT in St. Louis I find that more and more BIG ALLOPATHIC HOSPITALS (Barnes, Slu, St. John's) Trauma 1 ERs, have many DO's in the ER. When I am running "basic" transports I have to get a doctors signature on one of the transport forms and Medicare requires that the doctor DO or MD put their title. One day the form didnt have a title so I asked the ER nurse, what is the doctor's title? She said in a very rude, yet what I found to be humorous response... "What the hell does it matter? He's a doctor!" ... of course for documentation I went to the doctor as asked him nicely... he was a DO.

I really don't even think it would be hard to win cases in states to us MD instead of DO ... however, the reality is that the people who actually have the DO degree (attendings, residents) don't care, are too busy, and know it doesn't matter one lick.

 

[JaggerPlate]

In the real world, nobody cares whether you're a DO or an MD. All the DOs in my area are just as busy and successful as the MDs, and many groups are mixed DO/MD anyway. I've never hesitated to refer a patient to a DO. If you don't think you'll be into the OMM thing, I wouldn't sweat it that much; lots of DOs don't use it. Relax. You'll be fine. As for your parents et al, just show them examples of prominent DOs; they'll be fine with it all too.

👍 Adult/real world experience. Got to love it!!

 

[Lewist02]

I agree with you, but my sister is not really the "nicest" person out there.

My grandmother is the same exact way (even though there is a huge generation gap between their ages...). She raves about me when I am always succeeding, and then at Thanksgiving last year when I spoke of going D.O. she didn't hesitate to show her disgust with me.

Bottom line is you do what you want to do for YOU. I'm going D.O. because that is what I have decided is the best path for me and because the practice parallels my own personal philosophies. My grandmother will not be studying, taking the boards, or practicing for me, so her opinion no longer matters to me. I told her once that I will make the decision I want to make and I won't waste my time with it again. Some people will never care to understand. Just remember that it is your life. You will always have people putting you down in some way or form and it is up to you to look past it. If you take care of yourself first, you will find yourself in a happy profession and able to better provide for your patients.

 

[DocHomer]

Seriously, it's not that big of a deal anymore. It will come down to how well you perform. I've had so many attendings and residents tell me that I shouldn't be concerned about it.

Actually, I've had a few people tell me that they prefer DO's over MD's. They just had better experiences with them. Plus, people are becoming increasingly distrustful of doctors and feel that we are over-medicated in this country. As a result, any philosophy that advertises the "holistic" approach is becoming more and more attractive. In a way, we have the best of both worlds.

You may still face some bias from the old school crowd, hence grandma's reaction, and some pompous MD student you are doing a rotation with may belittle you. I had an interesting conversation with one of my interviewers at a DO school recently. He was accepted to MD programs and chose DO over MD because he felt that it was just a better fit for him. Then he proceeded to tell me about his friend who graduated from Hopkins. His friend said that he would get crap from the Harvard guys! So no matter where you go or what you do, there will always be someone who wants to feel like he is better than you.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Does anyone know why the OP was banned?? I thought this was a legit thread.