DO *VS* Caribbean-Based MD - Which is better and why?

[zut212]

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I will be a non-traditional medical student one day. I am definitely looking into the Caribbean based medical schools, such as AUC and St. George's University. As a 35 year older, I definitely have my concerns, and I thought that by reaching out to yourself, so I can better prepare myself for what's to come. On this discussion board, some people recommend that an American-based DO degree is more comprehensive than an MD in general, and more value-added than an MD from the Caribbeans in particular. What are your thoughts/feelings about this? i.e. What was your deciding factor in going to a Caribbean based meical program VS an American based DO program?

I was told that one big drawback for a DO is that they can't practice globally like an MD can, even though their curriculum is the same. Also, for specializing, an MD maybe better. However, I'm not so interested in specializing at this point of my premed career.

 

[deleted325463]

uh oh.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

oh for fck's sake

 

[Poliscidoc]

I will be a non-traditional medical student one day. I am definitely looking into the Caribbean based medical schools, such as AUC and St. George's University. As a 35 year older, I definitely have my concerns, and I thought that by reaching out to yourself, so I can better prepare myself for what's to come. On this discussion board, some people recommend that an American-based DO degree is more comprehensive than an MD in general, and more value-added than an MD from the Caribbeans in particular. What are your thoughts/feelings about this? i.e. What was your deciding factor in going to a Caribbean based meical program VS an American based DO program?

I was told that one big drawback for a DO is that they can't practice globally like an MD can, even though their curriculum is the same. Also, for specializing, an MD maybe better. However, I'm not so interested in specializing at this point of my premed career.

All of your questions and concerns can be answered by useing the search function on the main page on the Pre Med (MD or DO) board..

 

[ronaldo23]

I will be a non-traditional medical student one day. I am definitely looking into the Caribbean based medical schools, such as AUC and St. George's University. As a 35 year older, I definitely have my concerns, and I thought that by reaching out to yourself, so I can better prepare myself for what's to come. On this discussion board, some people recommend that an American-based DO degree is more comprehensive than an MD in general, and more value-added than an MD from the Caribbeans in particular. What are your thoughts/feelings about this? i.e. What was your deciding factor in going to a Caribbean based meical program VS an American based DO program?

I was told that one big drawback for a DO is that they can't practice globally like an MD can, even though their curriculum is the same. Also, for specializing, an MD maybe better. However, I'm not so interested in specializing at this point of my premed career.

Just do a search. Any and all possible perspectives are thoroughly addressed multiple times in multiple threads, to all your questions. In a sentence though, a DO degree is unequivocally better than a carib MD.

 

[DarknightX]

US graduates match first, then the leftover spots go to foreign grads. Hence DO >>>>> MD.

 

[Neuron14]

I will be a non-traditional medical student one day. I am definitely looking into the Caribbean based medical schools, such as AUC and St. George's University. As a 35 year older, I definitely have my concerns, and I thought that by reaching out to yourself, so I can better prepare myself for what's to come. On this discussion board, some people recommend that an American-based DO degree is more comprehensive than an MD in general, and more value-added than an MD from the Caribbeans in particular. What are your thoughts/feelings about this? i.e. What was your deciding factor in going to a Caribbean based meical program VS an American based DO program?

I was told that one big drawback for a DO is that they can't practice globally like an MD can, even though their curriculum is the same. Also, for specializing, an MD maybe better. However, I'm not so interested in specializing at this point of my premed career.

DO schools have a reputation for being more receptive toward non-traditional applicants. I don't know how Caribbean programs view them.

This varies by country. A few limit DO's to manipulation, but a growing number of them grant US-trained DO's full practice rights.

 

[MediCynical]

uh oh.

oh for fck's sake

All of your questions and concerns can be answered by useing the search function on the main page on the Pre Med (MD or DO) board..

Just do a search. Any and all possible perspectives are thoroughly addressed multiple times in multiple threads, to all your questions. In a sentence though, a DO degree is unequivocally better than a carib MD.

US graduates match first, then the leftover spots go to foreign grads. Hence DO >>>>> MD.

all of these 😀

 

[marble30]

 

[red10]

oh for fck's sake

agreed

 

[Slack3r]

 

[FrkyBgStok]

oh god.

 

[CoolWhipp]

Sigh.

 

[JmanDO]

Yes it's been done. Dont be d-bags.

OP: Go DO, it'll be to your advantage. If you want to practice internationally, you'll just have to take that foreign exam. Best of luck.

 

[Jay Leno]

I will be a non-traditional medical student one day. I am definitely looking into the Caribbean based medical schools, such as AUC and St. George's University. As a 35 year older, I definitely have my concerns, and I thought that by reaching out to yourself, so I can better prepare myself for what's to come. On this discussion board, some people recommend that an American-based DO degree is more comprehensive than an MD in general, and more value-added than an MD from the Caribbeans in particular. What are your thoughts/feelings about this? i.e. What was your deciding factor in going to a Caribbean based meical program VS an American based DO program?

I was told that one big drawback for a DO is that they can't practice globally like an MD can, even though their curriculum is the same. Also, for specializing, an MD maybe better. However, I'm not so interested in specializing at this point of my premed career.

As you've probably figured out from all of the responses above, this issue has been discussed hundreds (maybe thousands of times already on these forums), but to help you out, I'll just summarize it below:

1. DO is generally preferred over a carribbean MD degree if you want to find a residency and practice in the US. The reason why is because DO are able to match into more competitive and higher paying specialties than Carribbean and foreign MD degree holders. They do all of their education in the US and rotate at US hospitals and university programs and have better connections and clinical training sites.

2. The number of residency spots has been shrinking over the past number of years in comparison to the number of medical school graduates over the past couple of years. A few decades ago, it was fairly easy for a carribbean or foreign medical school graduate to obtain a residency in the US. But it's become more and more competitive over the years. It is expected that by 2017-2020, the number of residency slots will be virtually equal to the number of US medical school graduates, hence, those who did not graduate from a US medical school may not be able to find a residency or work as a physicians afterwards.

3. US DO programs are generally cheaper (if it's at a state school) and have far lower attrition rates. I think >90% of US DO who start at a US medical school will eventually find a residency and graduate within 4 years. For Carribbean medical schools, I've heard anywhere from 30%-50% of the students drop out or fail to match into a residency spot.

4. There is a misconception that you can practice anywhere in the world with a US MD degree. The truth is, if you graduate from a US medical school and completed your residency in the US, you can't pack up and move to another country (say Europe or South America) and start practicing on your own. It doesn't matter whether you have an MD or DO degree. You have to redo your residency in that country to qualify for a medical license.

So there it is - I think you're much better off doing DO in the US. All of this is available on the DO thread.

 

[illegallysmooth]

 

[YaBoyAR]

As you've probably figured out from all of the responses above, this issue has been discussed hundreds (maybe thousands of times already on these forums), but to help you out, I'll just summarize it below:

1. DO is generally preferred over a carribbean MD degree if you want to find a residency and practice in the US. The reason why is because DO are able to match into more competitive and higher paying specialties than Carribbean and foreign MD degree holders. They do all of their education in the US and rotate at US hospitals and university programs and have better connections and clinical training sites.

2. The number of residency spots has been shrinking over the past number of years in comparison to the number of medical school graduates over the past couple of years. A few decades ago, it was fairly easy for a carribbean or foreign medical school graduate to obtain a residency in the US. But it's become more and more competitive over the years. It is expected that by 2017-2020, the number of residency slots will be virtually equal to the number of US medical school graduates, hence, those who did not graduate from a US medical school may not be able to find a residency or work as a physicians afterwards.

3. US DO programs are generally cheaper (if it's at a state school) and have far lower attrition rates. I think >90% of US DO who start at a US medical school will eventually find a residency and graduate within 4 years. For Carribbean medical schools, I've heard anywhere from 30%-50% of the students drop out or fail to match into a residency spot.

4. There is a misconception that you can practice anywhere in the world with a US MD degree. The truth is, if you graduate from a US medical school and completed your residency in the US, you can't pack up and move to another country (say Europe or South America) and start practicing on your own. It doesn't matter whether you have an MD or DO degree. You have to redo your residency in that country to qualify for a medical license.

So there it is - I think you're much better off doing DO in the US. All of this is available on the DO thread.

respect for answering the question, not being a douche like the above posters... not everyone are forum experts, i'm sure the OP appreciates ya

 

[NickNaylor]

 

[ronaldo23]

I've heard it over and over on sdn that US MD>US DO> FMG MD in the allopathic residency match. I've seen the NRMP reports and yes, it makes sense. But what does it mean that US graduates match first and the leftover spots go to the foreign grads? They all match on the same day, except FMGs usually get typically "undesirable" spots.

Some Carib/FMG sign "pre-match day contracts" at undesirable programs before Match Day, from what I hear. Match day is all one day, but it is decided over a period of time before that. MD/DO are given first consideration, before FMG's in this period.

 

[Parietal Lobe]

I've heard it over and over on sdn that US MD>US DO> FMG MD in the allopathic residency match. I've seen the NRMP reports and yes, it makes sense. But what does it mean that US graduates match first and the leftover spots go to the foreign grads? They all match on the same day, except FMGs usually get typically "undesirable" spots.

It means that when residency program directors are ranking their candidates, they're likely to rank U.S. med students ahead of FMGs.

 

[cbrons]

As you've probably figured out from all of the responses above, this issue has been discussed hundreds (maybe thousands of times already on these forums), but to help you out, I'll just summarize it below:

1. DO is generally preferred over a carribbean MD degree if you want to find a residency and practice in the US. The reason why is because DO are able to match into more competitive and higher paying specialties than Carribbean and foreign MD degree holders. They do all of their education in the US and rotate at US hospitals and university programs and have better connections and clinical training sites.

2. The number of residency spots has been shrinking over the past number of years in comparison to the number of medical school graduates over the past couple of years. A few decades ago, it was fairly easy for a carribbean or foreign medical school graduate to obtain a residency in the US. But it's become more and more competitive over the years. It is expected that by 2017-2020, the number of residency slots will be virtually equal to the number of US medical school graduates, hence, those who did not graduate from a US medical school may not be able to find a residency or work as a physicians afterwards.

3. US DO programs are generally cheaper (if it's at a state school) and have far lower attrition rates. I think >90% of US DO who start at a US medical school will eventually find a residency and graduate within 4 years. For Carribbean medical schools, I've heard anywhere from 30%-50% of the students drop out or fail to match into a residency spot.

4. There is a misconception that you can practice anywhere in the world with a US MD degree. The truth is, if you graduate from a US medical school and completed your residency in the US, you can't pack up and move to another country (say Europe or South America) and start practicing on your own. It doesn't matter whether you have an MD or DO degree. You have to redo your residency in that country to qualify for a medical license.

So there it is - I think you're much better off doing DO in the US. All of this is available on the DO thread.

so then why'd you answer son?