"discovering" osteopathic/allopathic med

[Supadupafly]

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I started my application process in the Osteopathic pathway. Shadowed with a DO, participated in a DO premed program, ect. I loved it, but the more I analyzed the core philosophy, the more that it seemed I was more suited for allopathic medicine.

Now I've been accepted to both schools and have to choose. My DO advisor makes it sound like I'm "chickening out" if I go MD. Here are my observations:

*Osteopathic med seems more focused on alleviating pain, serving the sphere of one's own practice, and hollistic philosophy.

*Allopathic med seems more focused on public health, pathologic basis of disease, and scientific models.

I feel like I'm a nice guy who understands and communicates well with my patients, but of the above philosophies, the second fits me better.

Anybody in similar situations? I always hear about people "discovering" osteopathy; looks like it can work the other way around also.

 

[LP1CW]

I'm in the same situation. The DO school that I've gotten into was originally a backup program. But I really like it there. But I'm thinking about my future, academic research, maybe, faculty position and residencies andt the path is easier with the MD.

And the highlighted differences between the two is not as great as people say they are. What they hold in common is greater than what truly seperates the two approaches. It's still Western Medicine, the biomedical model. It's not some mystic approach to healing. Either way, you're a doctor. Congrats.

 

[bullhorn]

Yeah my philosophy is definitely that you make the doctor you become not the letters behind your name. People have a LOT to learn in regards to osteopathic medicine, in that many will relegate it to just a lower tier of medical education. I say that's Bull$hit....EVERY (MD and DO) medical school in this country will give you a quality education to make you a competent physician if you compete the work...will some better prepare you for a life of academic medicine (without having attained a PhD)..yes...will some better prepare you to be a clinician (regardless of primary care or specialty) yes. Go to the school that makes you the happiest and falls in line with your true self. THAT school should be your first choice. If you aren't fortunate to get in...all is not lost because although the path might be slightly harder, you can do just about anything you put your mind to....ie an NIH research fellowship while in DO school or become a patient-oriented, OMT trained family practice physician from a MD school. Trust me, I know people personally who have done the above....

Congrats on your acceptances.