DO Plastics Questions....

[DocAwesome]

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I'm currently in the process of interviewing at various schools and I'm interested in plastics. So from what I can gather from searching this forum is there is only one integrated DO plastics residency at PCOM. Cant seem to find any others mentioned, but my question is: If I attend another DO med school besides PCOM, when the time comes, can I still apply to this residency? Or is it exclusive only to PCOM students? and in the event its not exclusive to only PCOM students, is there a preference for PCOM students as opposed to other DO students in gaining admission to this residency?

Also if I cant get the the integrated program, what are my chances of going the traditional route of Gen Surgery into Plastics? I'm hearing a lot on this forum that it is near impossible for a DO to obtain a Plastics residency, is this really true?? I've done a ton of searching on this forum but nothing seems to be definitive. If these questions were answered somewhere else, please point me in the right direction.
Your comments are appreciated. Thank you.

 

[maxheadroom]

I can't speak to the AOA match, but I assume that PCOM students would have an edge.

Look at all of the other discussions about DOs and ACGME PRS residencies. They're pretty complete.

 

[joco7788]

I'm currently in the process of interviewing at various schools and I'm interested in plastics. So from what I can gather from searching this forum is there is only one integrated DO plastics residency at PCOM. Cant seem to find any others mentioned, but my question is: If I attend another DO med school besides PCOM, when the time comes, can I still apply to this residency? Or is it exclusive only to PCOM students? and in the event its not exclusive to only PCOM students, is there a preference for PCOM students as opposed to other DO students in gaining admission to this residency?

Also if I cant get the the integrated program, what are my chances of going the traditional route of Gen Surgery into Plastics? I'm hearing a lot on this forum that it is near impossible for a DO to obtain a Plastics residency, is this really true?? I've done a ton of searching on this forum but nothing seems to be definitive. If these questions were answered somewhere else, please point me in the right direction.
Your comments are appreciated. Thank you.

I'm not sure if there are any integrated osteopathic plastic residency programs. But if PCOM does have one then I would tend to think that they would give preference to their own students b/c you have the advantage of getting to know them first.

Like Max said there are plenty of threads about DO's and plastic surgery, but the most likely route is through the independent fellowship. That being said apply to schools that have these programs and get to know the P.D. It might be a few years before you can match (if you don't land an integrated or combined spot) but at least they will know your name.

Good luck

 

[beastmaster]

I'm currently in the process of interviewing at various schools and I'm interested in plastics. So from what I can gather from searching this forum is there is only one integrated DO plastics residency at PCOM. Cant seem to find any others mentioned, but my question is: If I attend another DO med school besides PCOM, when the time comes, can I still apply to this residency? Or is it exclusive only to PCOM students? and in the event its not exclusive to only PCOM students, is there a preference for PCOM students as opposed to other DO students in gaining admission to this residency?

Also if I cant get the the integrated program, what are my chances of going the traditional route of Gen Surgery into Plastics? I'm hearing a lot on this forum that it is near impossible for a DO to obtain a Plastics residency, is this really true?? I've done a ton of searching on this forum but nothing seems to be definitive. If these questions were answered somewhere else, please point me in the right direction.
Your comments are appreciated. Thank you.

You sound like me, several years ago. PCOM's plastics program is 2 years (not integrated). Go wherever you get in. Once you do, there's these exams you have to take towards the end of 2nd year. Score very very high on those exams.

 

[rddoms]

Look at opportunities.osteopathic.org. There are five AOA plastics residencies, all 2 years. One must complete 5 years of GS before starting these programs. No osteopathic integrated plastics programs.

 

[rddoms]

New program at Botsford in Michigan!

 

[JaggerPlate]

I wanted to revive this thread to ask a question (out of pure curiosity) regarding DOs in Plastics. Do people here, especially residents and attendings, think that DOs would struggle in a private practice setting? I just know plastics can be an extremely competitive and image based field, so does anyone think a DO (after doing a PRS fellowship, or even an AOA facial plastics residency and then a facial plastic practice) would have trouble attracting patients in a market place comprised of MD plastic surgeons? I ask because I have seen websites of various DO plastic surgeons who seem to be very successful, but I still wonder if it's one field where patients would feel differently about seeing a DO plastic surgeon? Or, is a good surgeon going to get referrals and spread by word of mouth regardless. Sorry if this question sounds childish, I'm just curious.

 

[DrDre311]

I'm not sure the public at large has a good idea of the difference between M.D.'s and D.O.'s...I think any difficulty/prejudice one might face would probably come from the competition.

If you're good at your job and nice to your patients it won't matter.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I'm not sure the public at large has a good idea of the difference between M.D.'s and D.O.'s...I think any difficulty/prejudice one might face would probably come from the competition.

If you're good at your job and nice to your patients it won't matter.

Thanks DrDre!!

 

[BlondeDocteur]

Actually, to be honest, I'm not sure that the public knows that DO = doctor. I don't think they have a clue what a DO is, but I do believe most people think an MD is a doctor, and that other initials (PA-C, DNP, what have you) are gobbledegook. Have you found differently in your training?

 

[DrDre311]

Actually, to be honest, I'm not sure that the public knows that DO = doctor. I don't think they have a clue what a DO is, but I do believe most people think an MD is a doctor, and that other initials (PA-C, DNP, what have you) are gobbledegook. Have you found differently in your training?

I don't work with D.O.'s much. I've never actually encountered one in the world of integrated plastics but they are rumored to exist. But when I was a student there were a few in IM and FP that I remember. Even though their coats said "Ricky Bobby, D.O./Internal Medicine" they would walk into a patient room with the appropriate air of confidence and authority and say, "Hi, I'm Dr. Bobby, the attending physician, and I'll be taking care of you while you're with us." I don't think I ever saw a patient who noticed that the attending's coat didn't have M.D. on it.

Patients don't care what's on your white coat. The public might not know what a D.O. is but when average joe type patients encounter D.O.'s, it's in clinical situations where it's accepted that Dr. Bobby is their doctor--so patients don't really need to know what a D.O. is or how it's different from an M.D., as long as they trust their doctor.

 

[BlondeDocteur]

Quite true, Dre-- when encountering them in the flesh. I meant in the abstract.

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

Quite true, Dre-- when encountering them in the flesh. I meant in the abstract.

Assuming you're excellent at what you do, with proper marketing I can totally see how a D.O. can play up the difference in training (in theory, at least) to the public and bank off of it.

Remember, you're basically selling a product -- you (and your services).

 

[PlasticMan]

I personally know a DO doing quite well with his own cosmetic practice on the Upper East side.