DO Residencies and the USMLE

[st.exupery]

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I was wondering about DO residencies... If I become a family practice physician and do not take the USMLE, I can still practice/complete my residence at a major hospital, right (as opposed to being limited to one of the few osteopathic hospital left)? Or if I am in a residency program that is mixed with M.D.'s, do I need to take the USMLE?

I was told that those that want to specialize mainly take both the COMLEX and USMLE. I guess I'm not certain why that is.

Also, during 3rd and 4th year clinical rotations, do D.O. students complete these rotations with only D.O. staff at contracted hospitals? For example, if I wanted to try an elective rotation at a hospital in a state outside of my school, would I have to find a D.O. only?

I hope that made sense. There are so many aspects to consider during this application time, I'm just trying to straighten it out in my head. Thanks in advance all!

 

[Taus]

I was wondering about DO residencies... If I become a family practice physician and do not take the USMLE, I can still practice/complete my residence at a major hospital, right (as opposed to being limited to one of the few osteopathic hospital left)? Or if I am in a residency program that is mixed with M.D.'s, do I need to take the USMLE?


I was told that those that want to specialize mainly take both the COMLEX and USMLE. I guess I'm not certain why that is.

Also, during 3rd and 4th year clinical rotations, do D.O. students complete these rotations with only D.O. staff at contracted hospitals? For example, if I wanted to try an elective rotation at a hospital in a state outside of my school, would I have to find a D.O. only?

I hope that made sense. There are so many aspects to consider during this application time, I'm just trying to straighten it out in my head. Thanks in advance all!

Rotations can definitely be with a mix of MD's and DO's (generally moreso if you're in a location with a mix of MD and DO schools) and there is no real restriction as to where a DO can do a residency or practice. The "osteopathic only" hospitals are pretty much ancient history in most areas of the country. For info on the COMLEX/USMLE issues..see the thread below..you'll realize that it is mostly nuances and not cut and dry borders on that issue. The COMLEX will allow you to practice in all fifty states and you will find DO's in most of this countries hospitals. Remember that DO's only make up around 5-6% of all US Docs, so only seeing a few here and there is statistically how it should be. You will find a much larger percentage of a hospitals Docs being DO's in the states where there are well-established DO schools. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=334205