DO ortho oncologist

[corona 247]

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I am a 4th year DO student interested in ortho oncology. I have heard that most ortho oncs are usually attached to regional academic institutions due to the paucity of patients. I am hesitant about the possibility of a DO being granted a fellowship and attaining employment at an academic institute afterwards. I am interested in hearing everyone's opinion about this. Thanks!

 

[Bubblehead-to-MD]

I am a 4th year DO student interested in ortho oncology. I have heard that most ortho oncs are usually attached to regional academic institutions due to the paucity of patients. I am hesitant about the possibility of a DO being granted a fellowship and attaining employment at an academic institute afterwards. I am interested in hearing everyone's opinion about this. Thanks!

Another medical student here, but I thought I'd share my thoughts...

I have never been a huge fan of making decisions based on the assumption that you will end up completing a fellowship program for a specific subspecialty. First and foremost, I would find that specialty in which I would be happy as a "generalist." Once you are comfortable with that, then I would consider the pros and cons of subspecializing.

I know a number of individuals who, for whatever reason, were unable to pursue fellowship training, and ended up being somewhat dissatisfied with their practice as a "general specialist."

I know that does not directly address your concerns. I just tend to think you should worry about the issues specific to orthopaedic oncology once you are at that point when you would consider applying to the fellowship. Make sure that ortho is for you, and then focus all of your efforts on matching into your desired residency program!

 

[Tired]

I am a 4th year DO student interested in ortho oncology. I have heard that most ortho oncs are usually attached to regional academic institutions due to the paucity of patients. I am hesitant about the possibility of a DO being granted a fellowship and attaining employment at an academic institute afterwards. I am interested in hearing everyone's opinion about this. Thanks!

I'd worry more about getting into an allo residency than an allo fellowship.

 

[corona 247]

tired,

are you saying that as a DO student interested in ortho onc, that I should try and get an allopathic ortho residency?

 

[Tired]

tired,

are you saying that as a DO student interested in ortho onc, that I should try and get an allopathic ortho residency?

Interesting question. Short answer is that I don't know.

But this is definitely something you need to take a look at. Some months back Winged Scapula discussed the inability of DO residents to get certain allo fellowships in General Surgery, because DO residencies are not certified by one of their national organizations.

I do not know the relationship between the AAOS and the DO community. I do not know if DO residents are eligible to apply to allopathic fellowships. But if you're thinking about doing something as uncommon as Tumor, you'd darn well better find out before you accept a DO ortho residency.

 

[DrMom]

I would imagine that it is fellowship program specific, but the DO ortho program at my hospital has had many graduates go on to MD fellowship programs in various sub-specialties.

 

[cuddlepuppy]

I do not think that is a problem. I'm at a major allopathic academic center and we had a DO ortho trained fellow in ortho spine last year.

Also, ortho onc for fellowship is not very numerous. You're looking at MD anderson, Sloan-kettering, Mayo, etc. Most of these places are pretty academic so regardless of MD vs DO ortho residency, you'd have to do some research to get your name known.

And, as we all know...fellowships are more of a networking issue and having someone who knows the fellowship director in your corner helps. In general though, DOs can do MD fellowships.