DO and MD residency questions

[Creightonite]

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I noticed that DO match rate is about 74% vs. MD's rate of 94%. Also there are 1000 DO residency spots for 3000 DO grads so most of DOs actually have to apply into MD residencies. Not sure whther this is true, but it is what I found online. I have several questions:

1) what do unmatched med students do?
2) If a DO student ends up in a allo residency, does it mean he/she will not use osteo teachings anymore?
3) Also in order to apply to some competetive MD residencies, do DO students have take USMLE as well as COMPLEX? I can image it is freaking hard to do both tests since I would image they have different focuses. Does anyone have an experience doing this?
4) Do MD residencies have a preference to an MD over DO if both candidates have the same scores?

 

[Vizsla]

I noticed that DO match rate is about 74% vs. MD's rate of 94%. Also there are 1000 DO residency spots for 3000 DO grads so most of DOs actually have to apply into MD residencies. Not sure whther this is true, but it is what I found online. I have several questions:

1) what do unmatched med students do?
2) If a DO student ends up in a allo residency, does it mean he/she will not use osteo teachings anymore?
3) Also in order to apply to some competetive MD residencies, do DO students have take USMLE as well as COMPLEX? I can image it is freaking hard to do both tests since I would image they have different focuses. Does anyone have an experience doing this?
4) Do MD residencies have a preference to an MD over DO if both candidates have the same scores?

im at an allo school and even I know its COMLEX

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

I noticed that DO match rate is about 74% vs. MD's rate of 94%. Also there are 1000 DO residency spots for 3000 DO grads so most of DOs actually have to apply into MD residencies. Not sure whther this is true, but it is what I found online. I have several questions:

1) what do unmatched med students do?
2) If a DO student ends up in a allo residency, does it mean he/she will not use osteo teachings anymore?
3) Also in order to apply to some competetive MD residencies, do DO students have take USMLE as well as COMPLEX? I can image it is freaking hard to do both tests since I would image they have different focuses. Does anyone have an experience doing this?
4) Do MD residencies have a preference to an MD over DO if both candidates have the same scores?

Its 74% in ACGME residencies, the rest scamble or crawl back over for the left over from the DO match. There are tons of open DO sopts left open in primary care fields or they can select to do an internship/TY and apply again. some students take both exams to "level the field". MD residencies are made for MD's (obviously) so they should lean towards traing them..

 

[Creightonite]

Just curious on how people can handle taking COMPLEX and USMLE? COMPLEX seems kind of pointless then since there are only 1000 DO residency spots. Why not have everyone just take USMLE. Can you take USMLE instead of COMPLEX?

 

[spicedmanna]

Just curious on how people can handle taking COMPLEX and USMLE? COMPLEX seems kind of pointless then since there are only 1000 DO residency spots. Why not have everyone just take USMLE. Can you take USMLE instead of COMPLEX?

Well, nobody actually takes the COMPLEX.

If, however, you mean the COMLEX, well, that's another story. The COMLEX is required for licensure and advancement/graduation for osteopathic physicians/candidates by the AOA. You simply cannot take the USMLE instead of it. The USMLE can be taken in addition to, but is not a substitute for, the COMLEX. A lot of people successfully take both.

 

[DocBR]

Just curious on how people can handle taking COMPLEX and USMLE? COMPLEX seems kind of pointless then since there are only 1000 DO residency spots. Why not have everyone just take USMLE. Can you take USMLE instead of COMPLEX?

COMLEX is required for graduation, it also incorporates DO philosophy, OMM, etc.
Many DOs take both exams because they want to have a broader selection of residency choices, and it is easier for allopathic residency directors to evaluate DOs and MDs with one exam.

I am not going to be taking board exams for some time, but from what I have gathered, most DO students study for the USMLE with a few additional high yield COMLEX resources. It is really not that much extra work.

Both exams test essentially the same knowledge (save OMM) but they do so in different ways; USMLE is heavier on Biochemistry, COMLEX is heavier on anatomy.

 

[Creightonite]

Thanks guys for clearing this up. I spoke to this weird foreign doctor who got his medical training in eastern europe, done residency in neurology, started working as a neurologist and then entered DO school in Britain for four years. Then came back to his home country and offered osteopathic services to his patients in addition to offering standard neuro care. So he was trying to persuade me that DO is all about treating patients with your hands without drugs and surgery.

It was kind of interesting. He told me that allo doctors measure two parameters: breathing and EKG while DOs in his field measure the third parameter that comes from brain vibrations. I have not take any serious anatomy course so I was not sure what exact vibrations he was talking about. Seemed a bit unbelievable at first, but then who knows... maybe those vibrations do exist.

 

[Creightonite]

COMLEX is required for graduation, it also incorporates DO philosophy, OMM, etc.
Many DOs take both exams because they want to have a broader selection of residency choices, and it is easier for allopathic residency directors to evaluate DOs and MDs with one exam.

I am not going to be taking board exams for some time, but from what I have gathered, most DO students study for the USMLE with a few additional high yield COMLEX resources. It is really not that much extra work.

Both exams test essentially the same knowledge (save OMM) but they do so in different ways; USMLE is heavier on Biochemistry, COMLEX is heavier on anatomy.

So do Allo residencies care about COMLEX scores? What if you well in one test but not the other?

 

[yoosername]

1. Regarding European DOs: Osteopathy in Europe in different than osteopathy in the states. European DOs haven't full privileges to prescribe medicines do surgeries etc - they're kind of like chiropractors in America.

2. Regarding COMLEX/USMLE scores: Allopathic residency programs differ in their feelings toward the COMLEX. In primary care residencies, most programs don't really discriminate between tests. In more competitive residencies, they'll probably want to see USMLE scores. In the instance where you score well in one test, but not the other - you needn't release scores for one test if you're unhappy with the results.

 

[MaximusD]

Yeah if you EVER compare US DOs to foreign DOs again, I might just eat you.

Maybe I should eat some dinner...sorry. I get cranky when my blood sugar is low 😳

 

[USArmyDoc]

Guys,


Creightonite is a troll.....I remember last year he was being a tool. Just drop this thread.

 

[RockfordWF]

I noticed that DO match rate is about 74% vs. MD's rate of 94%. Also there are 1000 DO residency spots for 3000 DO grads so most of DOs actually have to apply into MD residencies. Not sure whther this is true, but it is what I found online. I have several questions:

1) what do unmatched med students do?
2) If a DO student ends up in a allo residency, does it mean he/she will not use osteo teachings anymore?
3) Also in order to apply to some competetive MD residencies, do DO students have take USMLE as well as COMPLEX? I can image it is freaking hard to do both tests since I would image they have different focuses. Does anyone have an experience doing this?
4) Do MD residencies have a preference to an MD over DO if both candidates have the same scores?

1) same thing MD's do
2) it's up to him/her
3) yes--and it's not that difficult
4) it depends on the specialty and the faculty

 

[VALSALVA]

Well, nobody actually takes the COMPLEX.

If, however, you mean the COMLEX, well, that's another story. The COMLEX is required for licensure and advancement/graduation for osteopathic physicians/candidates by the AOA. You simply cannot take the USMLE instead of it. The USMLE can be taken in addition to, but is not a substitute for, the COMLEX. A lot of people successfully take both.

Don't take this as gospel truth, but I'm pretty sure a DO does NOT have to pass all three steps of the COMLEX in order to practice medicine. For instance, a student had to pass COMLEX II in order to graduate from my school. However, step III is taken post graduation and one's school has no say as to when a former student takes it...

But back to my original point...I pretty sure there are been DO's who have taken all three steps of the USMLE to be eligible for licensure, but never bothered taking COMLEX III. Obviously, these were folks completing ACGME approved residencies. Anyone else heard of this?

 

[DrMom]

There are states that require successful completion of all steps of the COMLEX for DO licensure. That is not the case everywhere, though.

 

[group_theory]

There are states that require successful completion of all steps of the COMLEX for DO licensure. That is not the case everywhere, though.

The following states require comlex for licensure and will not accept USMLE


California
Florida
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Vermont (will take either COMLEX, NBOME, or FLEX)
West Virginia


The following states require COMLEX if you want to get your initial license ... but will accept USMLE for license reciprocity from another state

Michigan
Tennessee