DO/PhD

[runfastnow]

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I know there aren't as many opportunities as the allopathic schools, but is anyone out there applying to any DO/PhD programs?

 

[TripodLuv]

I mentioned the possibility of a dual program to one of the DO residents I know, and she suggested it would be more beneficial not to do so. You'll have a hard enough time with your normal studies, you should just focus on that. This makes sense for me since getting matched for a military residency depends somewhat on my class rank. For others, though, I can see how the PhD or MPH, etc. could really set you apart and give you a leg up.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

Will DO schools sponsor the PhD portion of the DO/PhD?

 

[Lokhtar]

Yes, all unis will support you for the PhD portion. Some will support you the entire time, while others will support you for the PhD and 3rd and 4th year.

I will be applying to DO/PhDs. As for the advice not to do it - don't listen. The fact is if you want to do a PhD, that means you want to do academic medicine, i.e, research. And a PhD matters. You won't be doing it at the same time, so it's not a matter of focus. You'll generally take 3-4 years off after your second year of med school and you'll do your thesis.

I love research and so that's what I'll be doing. It'll probably help you in landing a better residency - if you're going to be in academia, having a PhD is a definite plus, since you can bring in research $$.

However, one thing to understand is many DO/PhD programs are in health policy or something similar, rather than a pure science. PCOM for example has a DO/PhD, but it's not a science PhD. Whereas schools like OUCOM have pure science PhDs that you can get in conjuction with your DO. So just be aware of that, and apply widely. I hope to be seeing your around. IMO, the osteopathic profession needs more academic physicians.

 

[Brachyury]

Yes, all unis will support you for the PhD portion. Some will support you the entire time, while others will support you for the PhD and 3rd and 4th year.

I will be applying to DO/PhDs. As for the advice not to do it - don't listen. The fact is if you want to do a PhD, that means you want to do academic medicine, i.e, research. And a PhD matters. You won't be doing it at the same time, so it's not a matter of focus. You'll generally take 3-4 years off after your second year of med school and you'll do your thesis.

I love research and so that's what I'll be doing. It'll probably help you in landing a better residency - if you're going to be in academia, having a PhD is a definite plus, since you can bring in research $$.

However, one thing to understand is many DO/PhD programs are in health policy or something similar, rather than a pure science. PCOM for example has a DO/PhD, but it's not a science PhD. Whereas schools like OUCOM have pure science PhDs that you can get in conjuction with your DO. So just be aware of that, and apply widely. I hope to be seeing your around. IMO, the osteopathic profession needs more academic physicians.

You don't need a Ph.D. to do research, nor will having a Ph.D. mean you'll be able to get grants easier than a straight-up M.D.

 

[Lokhtar]

You don't need a Ph.D. to do research, nor will having a Ph.D. mean you'll be able to get grants easier than a straight-up M.D.

No, a PhD is not necessary. But it helps, and definitely so in getting basic research grants. In fact, you're the first person that I have heard that is claiming otherwise. Also, the op would want to do his residency in an academic setting (eg, allopathic university programs), and having that PhD will help.

I've spoken to ~10 MD/PhDs (no DO/PhDs yet) and almost all of them said it helps in both matching and doing research. Obviously don't do it just to match, but if you're going to a research heavy residency in Neurology, and you have a PhD in the subject - you're at the top of the list. Again, just what people are telling me.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

No, a PhD is not necessary. But it helps, and definitely so in getting basic research grants. In fact, you're the first person that I have heard that is claiming otherwise. Also, the op would want to do his residency in an academic setting (eg, allopathic university programs), and having that PhD will help.

I've spoken to ~10 MD/PhDs (no DO/PhDs yet) and almost all of them said it helps in both matching and doing research. Obviously don't do it just to match, but if you're going to a research heavy residency in Neurology, and you have a PhD in the subject - you're at the top of the list. Again, just what people are telling me.

Yes, I've heard from a few of the faculty at the place I work that the PhD isn't completely necessary, but it helps in giving a foundation for research that will be more difficult to obtain when you do straight up MD or DO. I haven't heard anything about matching other than what I've read on this forum, but what you say, Lokhtar, makes sense.

 

[WNT Signaling]

Do a search, there have been several threads about this in the MD, PhD forum

 

[runfastnow]

All good points. I was just interested if anyone out there was applying to any DO/PhD programs. I am interested in academic medicine and exercise physiology/sports med type research and I am hoping to into the DO/PhD program at MSUCOM or VCOM myself.

WNT Signaling, I am not looking for feedback into whether I should do it or not, just wondering if anyone is interested in the DO/PhD route since MD/PhD is more prevelant. I have already searched those, but since I am applying to DO/PhD programs they aren't exactly relevant to me.