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The 2026-2027 DO School Specific Threads are now available in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 discussions are now available in the prior year discussions forum.
Difference between MD and DOs?
Started by Aarryda1234
Sorry @Aarryda1234 , I see you're new here. These get really heated so the collective decision has been made to not ask these questions
The search function on this site and google is your friend.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Attachments
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AnatomyGrey12
MDs are doctors, DOs are holistic bone wizards.
Why I chose DO. Closest thing I can get to attending Hogwarts.
From what I think has been said around this site the major difference is that the clinical rotations for DO are not as well structured compared to those MD students do.
From what Goro has previously said on here:
These are all the fields that are DO friendly:
Emergency Medicine
Child Neurology
Transitional Year
Internal Medicine
Neurology
Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
Psychiatry
Anesthesiology
Pathology
Pediatrics
Family Medicine
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
A little more work, but still doable:
Radiology-Diagnostic
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Possible, but will require a lot more work:
Radiation Oncology
Surgery
Thoracic Surgery
Difficult to really difficult for DOs:
Vascular Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery
Neurological Surgery
Otolaryngology
Plastic Surgery
Dermatology
Source: Program Director's survey.
Main Residency Match Data and Reports - The Match, National Resident Matching Program
From what Goro has previously said on here:
These are all the fields that are DO friendly:
Emergency Medicine
Child Neurology
Transitional Year
Internal Medicine
Neurology
Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
Psychiatry
Anesthesiology
Pathology
Pediatrics
Family Medicine
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
A little more work, but still doable:
Radiology-Diagnostic
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Possible, but will require a lot more work:
Radiation Oncology
Surgery
Thoracic Surgery
Difficult to really difficult for DOs:
Vascular Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery
Neurological Surgery
Otolaryngology
Plastic Surgery
Dermatology
Source: Program Director's survey.
Main Residency Match Data and Reports - The Match, National Resident Matching Program
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This is why I come to SDN.
YOU MEAN LIGHTNING BONE SETTERS.
“DO’s have the same training, with a little bit of physical therapy added on. “
Id probably put Rad Onc in the extremely difficult section
That poor horse.
The horse asked too many questions.
D
deleted103644
Has anyone mentioned recently that “allopathic” is a bull**** derogatory term created by homeopaths?
Look into the origin of the word. It’s crazy and really should not be used as freely as it is here.
Look into the origin of the word. It’s crazy and really should not be used as freely as it is here.
Didn't know that... What does it even mean? Basically, "not homeopathy"??
D
deleted103644
You have to look into the origin of the term “homeopathy” as well.
Basically, homeopaths believe that you need to treat a disease with dilute quantities of something that causes the same (ie “homeo”) symptoms. So if toad venom causes headaches, you can use it to treat headaches in dilute quantities*.
If you use something that causes “other” symptoms (“allo”), eg liver failure with Tylenol, you’re practicing “allopathy”.
The entire concept is bonkers, bull****, and completely created by the homeopaths. It should not be used to refer to real medical schools.
*I have no idea what the side effects of toad venom, for further clarification, ask poison control or a homeopath/witch.
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why don't you take it up with nrmp?
if the official medical match system is using it, it seems reasonable to accept that it is a legitimate term recognized by program directors
http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Charting-Outcomes-in-the-Match-2018-Seniors.pdf
D
deleted103644
Oh, I agree it’s a commonly used term.
That doesn’t mean it’s legitimate.
As for the NRMP, yeah, they shouldn’t use it, but I’ll leave that for people who still need to match to deal with that.
After lecturing at a state conference, I learned that some MDs loathe the distinction of “allopathic.”
I didn’t know that previously, so FYI.
It is a touchy subject, but just know that DOs are equipped with a few extra “tools” in their toolbox and are supposed to be taught Osteoapathic Principles and Philsophy interwoven into the basic sciences.
In the near future, it is likely that MDs can pursue training and certification in these extra tools (OMT).
I didn’t know that previously, so FYI.
It is a touchy subject, but just know that DOs are equipped with a few extra “tools” in their toolbox and are supposed to be taught Osteoapathic Principles and Philsophy interwoven into the basic sciences.
In the near future, it is likely that MDs can pursue training and certification in these extra tools (OMT).
Nice list... OB is competitive though?
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