DO geographical questions...

[mizzoudude]

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Once again I am going to look like a ******* and post...
(I am a grad student with a 3.2 ugad GPA and 25 MCAT...taking the MCAT again in 2006 April and applying to both MD and DO...I will be happy with either acceptance)

What about geography? I see that there are schools all over the U.S. ranging from Cali to Florida to Maine to Texas....is there a higher concentration of DO residents that train at certain places? I hear that Cali is not very DO friendly...UCs I hear are not very friendly to DO residents...

How about where DOs work? Is there a better concentration in the east and midwest? I am just curious as I want to know how geographically DOs fair.

Thanks for putting up with another question...

 

[CCEMTP2DOC]

Once again I am going to look like a ******* and post...
(I am a grad student with a 3.2 ugad GPA and 25 MCAT...taking the MCAT again in 2006 April and applying to both MD and DO...I will be happy with either acceptance)

What about geography? I see that there are schools all over the U.S. ranging from Cali to Florida to Maine to Texas....is there a higher concentration of DO residents that train at certain places? I hear that Cali is not very DO friendly...UCs I hear are not very friendly to DO residents...

How about where DOs work? Is there a better concentration in the east and midwest? I am just curious as I want to know how geographically DOs fair.

Thanks for putting up with another question...

Michigan is very D.O. friendly. I believe Pennsylvania is as well. I am a paramedic in Michigan and see D.O.'s all the time. Fell free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

Rob

 

[OSUdoc08]

Once again I am going to look like a ******* and post...
(I am a grad student with a 3.2 ugad GPA and 25 MCAT...taking the MCAT again in 2006 April and applying to both MD and DO...I will be happy with either acceptance)

What about geography? I see that there are schools all over the U.S. ranging from Cali to Florida to Maine to Texas....is there a higher concentration of DO residents that train at certain places? I hear that Cali is not very DO friendly...UCs I hear are not very friendly to DO residents...

How about where DOs work? Is there a better concentration in the east and midwest? I am just curious as I want to know how geographically DOs fair.

Thanks for putting up with another question...

Oklahoma, Ohio, Michigan

 

[subtle1epiphany]

The big five are pretty solid...but from what I've noticed...
Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oklahoma (all have many), Florida since in a few years they'll have three DO schools, New Jersey I imagine isn't devoid of DOs, New York has some.

Look for states with state schools, MI, OK, TX, NJ, OU?...then look for states with several schools: PA and FL.
That's how I looked at it. California has two schools, but they pretty much serve the West coast in its entirety. This will change as there are plans for a school in WA. I have noticed DOs in practice at a couple major medical centers in California, Kaiser Permanente has several DOs in many departments, especially since they are heavy on preventative medicine. There are many DOs at USC's County, but to some extent you are correct, the UCs are pretty harsh, but then think of their overall demeanor, they are extremely elitist and numbers oriented from the start for undergrad through grad and professional programs, so it more stems from the competitive nature of their programs as a whole. At least that's how I think of it.
In general, the Midwest is most "hospitable" for DOs especially since it's where the profession began its divergence from allopathy.
Hope this helps.

 

[dr.z]

Goto www.aacom.org. They have a booklet that you can read as PDF files where they list the number of active DO physicians in each state. You can get an idea of which state maybe more friendly depending on those numbers.

 

[(nicedream)]

Florida since in a few years they'll have three DO schools

What's the third??

 

[(nicedream)]

Most DO residencies are in MI, OH, PA, and NY. Many MD residencies that are friendly to DOs are in these same states plus FL and CT.

 

[subtle1epiphany]

What's the third??

NSUCOM and LECOM-B
The Director of Admissions at MSUCOM mentioned that there's likely to be a new school breaking ground soon, I can't remember who's starting the school, but I have a feeling it won't be a branch campus. Of course, this isn't from the authority, but I trust Ms. Schafer. 👍

 

[mizzoudude]

Subtlepiphany...haven't really seen you post that much...thanks for the clear cut info..thanks to everyone else too...

I am currently shadowing a DO ER doc and I really like ihm. He is one of the most knowledgable docs in the department and is excellent with the patients. He is so laid back and knows how to relate with people as well. I really encourage all those interested in the DO route to go shadow..

But back to the topic of the thread...I know that I am worrying about it too much now..as I worry about things way too much in advance...but...first I do not know if I am going into an MD school or DO school...I need to take the MCAT again in April 2006 and apply again...(and will have many different opinions by then)...but say I do go to a DO school...though the midwest does seem very DO friendly as you guys mentioned...I did a search (with the find a DO function) and they are all over....everywhere from Santa Barbara, CA to Tenessee...

How does a DO establish a practice? I mean...can they just apply to any position that is posted? So wouldn't that mean that they should be able to get a job anywhere an MD would be able to?

I am sure I can ask all these questions to the DO that I started to shadow...but I am not really "close" with him yet and will start asking him many more questions as time goes on. Thanks again all...

 

[OSUdoc08]

Subtlepiphany...haven't really seen you post that much...thanks for the clear cut info..thanks to everyone else too...

I am currently shadowing a DO ER doc and I really like ihm. He is one of the most knowledgable docs in the department and is excellent with the patients. He is so laid back and knows how to relate with people as well. I really encourage all those interested in the DO route to go shadow..

But back to the topic of the thread...I know that I am worrying about it too much now..as I worry about things way too much in advance...but...first I do not know if I am going into an MD school or DO school...I need to take the MCAT again in April 2006 and apply again...(and will have many different opinions by then)...but say I do go to a DO school...though the midwest does seem very DO friendly as you guys mentioned...I did a search (with the find a DO function) and they are all over....everywhere from Santa Barbara, CA to Tenessee...

How does a DO establish a practice? I mean...can they just apply to any position that is posted? So wouldn't that mean that they should be able to get a job anywhere an MD would be able to?

I am sure I can ask all these questions to the DO that I started to shadow...but I am not really "close" with him yet and will start asking him many more questions as time goes on. Thanks again all...

Job postings are for physicians. The DO or MD degree is irrelevant, since you can become a licensed/board certified physician with either degree.

 

[subtle1epiphany]

Job postings are for physicians. The DO or MD degree is irrelevant, since you can become a licensed/board certified physician with either degree.

I don't have experience with this, but what OSUdoc08 says makes sense. We will be licensed physicians, and board certified which is sometimes as important, so assuming the place where you apply isn't holding on to those last vestiges of prejudice, any job is possible.
Hope this helps.

 

[dr.z]

Job postings are for physicians. The DO or MD degree is irrelevant, since you can become a licensed/board certified physician with either degree.

This is as simple as it gets. Physician is a physician whether they went to allopathic, osteopathic, or foreign medical school. If you have the right qualification, you'll get the job.

 

[(nicedream)]

This is as simple as it gets. Physician is a physician whether they went to allopathic, osteopathic, or foreign medical school. If you have the right qualification, you'll get the job.

Not quite. There are certainly MD-populated groups who given the choice between a DO and an MD will take the MD. Add to this the fact that DO residencies are basically no-names - so, degree aside, they could have an applicant coming from Univ. of Yourstate residency program and one from Yourtown Memorial - the former would be more attractive to them.
All this aside, what's going to count most is your interview and whether they think you'll fit in the group personality-wise and, most importantly, carry your weight.

 

[DrFeelgoodDO]

Not quite. There are certainly MD-populated groups who given the choice between a DO and an MD will take the MD. Add to this the fact that DO residencies are basically no-names - so, degree aside, they could have an applicant coming from Univ. of Yourstate residency program and one from Yourtown Memorial - the former would be more attractive to them.
All this aside, what's going to count most is your interview and whether they think you'll fit in the group personality-wise and, most importantly, carry your weight.

Right on. Look in the back of a NEJM or JAMA and you will see job descriptions that SPECIFICALLY ask for MD applicants. We're not all created equal apparently, kids.