DO vs MD

[circulus vitios]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I think you missed my point, I'm not talking about competitive residencies. I'm talking about two specialties that you mentioned having an interest in: cardiology and hem/onc.

You have to go to a good IM program to match into cards or heme/onc.

 

[ES2]

You have to go to a good IM program to match into cards or heme/onc.

My apologies, I should have said "fellowship" in lieu of "specialty."

 

[Oo Cipher oO]

You're living in a dream world. You must not understand the reality of medicine. If you want to do a ACGME residency, you are at a disadvantage PERIOD if you do DO. Now, if you do not want to do a ACGME residency, you are fine. However, I will restate this again, you are at a disadvantage PERIOD if you do DO. Only someone that does not understand medical education would say something like this. Do you really think residency programs will take DO students over MD students? No, because that's not fair to MD students. DOs can do AOA/ACGME residencies. MDs can only do ACGME residencies. So, as the number of MD students increases and DO students increases, the yield on DOs going to ACGME resdiencies will decrease. PERIOD.

However, there are AWESOME AOA residencies and if you don't want a ACGME residency and don't want to do a ACGME fellowship that a DO is a great career path!

You don't seem to know how a period works.

Also keep in mind that all ACGME residencies are not created the same. Many of these disadvantages are specialty dependent.

 

[Oo Cipher oO]

Some of us want to be something more than a PCP. For example, I'm leaning towards Cards or Heme-Onc. Going DO would be a major disadvantage along every step of the road. Getting into a strong residency program, matching into a fellowship and then going onto practice all have major hurdles for this path. And the vast majority of students will not be PCPs and in that case, going DO is a disadvantage, period.

I didn't realize other specialists are more of a physician that a PCP. When I'm a FM doc does this mean I need to use a special title when talking to higher doctors? Maybe a salute?

 

[Ismet]

I didn't realize other specialists are more of a physician that a PCP. When I'm a FM doc does this mean I need to use a special title when talking to higher doctors? Maybe a salute?

He means specializing further, doing a fellowship, etc. That doesn't mean that a specialist is more of a doctor than a PCP, but it requires MORE years of training and in many aspects is MORE competitive.

 

[Oo Cipher oO]

He means specializing further, doing a fellowship, etc. That doesn't mean that a specialist is more of a doctor than a PCP, but it requires MORE years of training and in many aspects is MORE competitive.

Ok. I'll buy that. Sorry for assuming the worst but that line just came at me wrong. I see it sometime with fellow med students so I guess I kinda have an ax to grind.

 

[circulus vitios]

My apologies, I should have said "fellowship" in lieu of "specialty."

Cardiology and heme/onc are competitive fellowships. You need to match into a decent IM program to stand a chance at matching into them.

 

[yehhhboiii]

I didn't realize other specialists are more of a physician that a PCP. When I'm a FM doc does this mean I need to use a special title when talking to higher doctors? Maybe a salute?

that's not what he's saying
he's saying that if you go do, your options are more limited to fields like im, family med, peds
it's not that you can't go into more competitive fields but it's harder, especially if you want to get into an acgme residency

 

[touchpause13]

You are missing the point at an overwhelming level on this issue. Some people care about prestige and go to big names for that reason, but the main reason why most people want to go to these programs is because they will absolutely make you a better physician because they see so many different cases. You will get all the bread and butter cases, and all the zebra cases you can imagine - these are undoubtedly aspects of residency training that make you a really good physician. The "prestigious" academic medical centers provide exceptional training, and you will understand what I'm talking about when you start med school. You will see that you don't "just want to be a doctor," but you want to be excellent, and exposure to many different cases at a rigorous level will help you get to that goal.

I see your point but when people post things like MD >>>>>>DO I feel like it is kind of crapping on people's dreams.

 

[La Presse]

I see your point but when people post things like MD >>>>>>DO I feel like it is kind of crapping on people's dreams.

IMG MD>>>>DO>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>US MD

Does anyone remember that? Of course things like this only happen on SDN. 😛

 

[touchpause13]

IMG MD>>>>DO>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>US MD

Does anyone remember that? Of course things like this only happen on SDN. 😛

Hahahaha yesssss classic SDN

 

[darklabel]

Some of us want to be something more than a PCP. For example, I'm leaning towards Cards or Heme-Onc. Going DO would be a major disadvantage along every step of the road. Getting into a strong residency program, matching into a fellowship and then going onto practice all have major hurdles for this path. And the vast majority of students will not be PCPs and in that case, going DO is a disadvantage, period.

I know DO is more limiting than even lowest MD-tier, but wouldn't you still be at a disadvantage if you went into a newish MD school

I see your point but when people post things like MD >>>>>>DO I feel like it is kind of crapping on people's dreams.

This is SDN and worst of all Pre-Allo; a DO vs MD here will just lead to a bunch of pre med and med students crapping on DO.

Its shining examples such as what's posted here that people roll their eyes whenever SDN is talked about. Its nice how everyone pulls the "a DO will never match into something like neurosurg" multiple times, because instead of pointing out the myraid of other residencies that DO's have a good chance of matching at, it's always the negatives that seem to be emphasized.

Just let it be touchpause, I bet you'll make a better physician than half the people here 🙂

 

[yehhhboiii]

Just let it be touchpause, I bet you'll make a better physician than half the people here 🙂

ok mr "OMS-0" 🙄

 

[487806]

IMG MD>>>>DO>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>US MD

Does anyone remember that? Of course things like this only happen on SDN. 😛

Agreed 100%. And please keep your current avatar for at least few months. It's by far the most stunning avatar i have ever seen.

 

[La Presse]

ok mr "OMS-0" 🙄

So THAT's what that means. I thought he was an OMS resident 😳 Then again, he would have just put OMS PGY-1

Agreed 100%. And please keep your current avatar for at least few months. It's by far the most stunning avatar i have ever seen.

Haha. Thanks, Agent B. I think I might get another one pretty soon. I get tired of seeing the same wh..picture in my avatar 😀

 

[sausalito]

*steps out of observers' corner*

Sure, going DO may be an uphill battle, but a lot of pre-osteos climbed uphill battles just to get into DO school. Something tells me DOs, especially those wanting to be someone other than PCPs, know what they're up against. So yeah.

*goes back to observing*

 

[touchpause13]

I know DO is more limiting than even lowest MD-tier, but wouldn't you still be at a disadvantage if you went into a newish MD school


This is SDN and worst of all Pre-Allo; a DO vs MD here will just lead to a bunch of pre med and med students crapping on DO.

Its shining examples such as what's posted here that people roll their eyes whenever SDN is talked about. Its nice how everyone pulls the "a DO will never match into something like neurosurg" multiple times, because instead of pointing out the myraid of other residencies that DO's have a good chance of matching at, it's always the negatives that seem to be emphasized.

Just let it be touchpause, I bet you'll make a better physician than half the people here 🙂

Aw thanks love!
😀🙂😉

 

[sobored]

I see your point but when people post things like MD >>>>>>DO I feel like it is kind of crapping on people's dreams.

Yes, I sympathize and agree with you that it's a joke when people do that. I don't do that, and frankly I hate it when others do. But to be clear, that's not what you originally said that generated my response. Your comments about prestige and "just want to be a doctor" were what I was referring to, and I assure you that when you do start taking care of patients as a medical student, you're going to start thinking "I suck, I want to be good." Often times the best residency training programs are associated with the prestigious programs. That's at least why I want to go to one of those programs, not to say I go to one of them, but so I can be well-trained. I imagine that's why most people want those programs too.

 

[touchpause13]

Yes, I sympathize and agree with you that it's a joke when people do that. I don't do that, and frankly I hate it when others do. But to be clear, that's not what you originally said that generated my response. Your comments about prestige and "just want to be a doctor" were what I was referring to, and I assure you that when you do start taking care of patients as a medical student, you're going to start thinking "I suck, I want to be good." Often times the best residency training programs are associated with the prestigious programs. That's at least why I want to go to one of those programs, not to say I go to one of them, but so I can be well-trained. I imagine that's why most people want those programs too.

No, I totally get where you are coming from with that and I have a feeling I will understand that concept a lot better when I start school. When I made that post I was kinda bitter and responding to yeahboii's comment that literally said MD >>>>>>>> DO, which I probably should have made more clear.

 

[yehhhboiii]

No, I totally get where you are coming from with that and I have a feeling I will understand that concept a lot better when I start school. When I made that post I was kinda bitter and responding to yeahboii's comment that literally said MD >>>>>>>> DO, which I probably should have made more clear.

you should look up the word literally in the dictionary

 

[BlackBox]

this thread is irrelevant.

both professions are about helping patients.

be the best physician to your patients you can be.

 

[deleted407021]

"a DO will never match into something like neurosurg"

The only neurosurgeon in my area is a DO. So it does happen.

 

[578501]

Reading a thread like this makes me wonder whether I should just take everything being said with a grain of salt just because this is SDN Pre-Med, or whether the claims here valid.

It's not like some of us have a choice in DO or MD. I'm a senior in undergrad and yes, I had some troubles along the way, and I'm basically a DO/borderline MD applicant. So what do I do if I get into a DO but not an MD when I apply next year? Wait another year to improve my application and try again?

After working hard to get into a medical school, I don't imagine I would be a fan of fighting another uphill battle and facing potential lack of opportunity.

 

[Anathema]

I think one of the stings against DO is the admission criteria. Anybody not in a DO school (whether they're premed, med students or patients) will look at the lower numbers and question the integrity of DOs. Everyone knows there's a fair share of prejudice against DOs, but overall they do get the job done.

 

[Anathema]

Reading a thread like this makes me wonder whether I should just take everything being said with a grain of salt just because this is SDN Pre-Med, or whether the claims here valid.

It's not like some of us have a choice in DO or MD. I'm a senior in undergrad and yes, I had some troubles along the way, and I'm basically a DO/borderline MD applicant. So what do I do if I get into a DO but not an MD when I apply next year? Wait another year to improve my application and try again?

After working hard to get into a medical school, I don't imagine I would be a fan of fighting another uphill battle and facing potential lack of opportunity.

I think the choice is up to you. You'll have to face the judgement of others whether it's family and friends or colleagues and patients if you go DO. In the end you will make a positive difference albeit your road to becoming a doctor may be tougher for all the wrong reasons.

 

[postbacpremed87]

You will not face a potential lack of opportunity UNLESS you want to do an ACGME specialty that is highly competitive - Rad Onc, Neurosurg, Derm, ENT etc

If you want to be an OB-GYN, Neurologist, Psychiatrist, Pediatrician, Pathologist, PM&R, FM, Rads, Anesthesiologist, EM, Internist/Hospitalist, etc then DO will be FINE. I would argue Gen Surg, but you would probably be limited to community based programs - once again if you only want to do ACGME.

A lot of options there...for me applying another cycle was not worth it.

 

[touchpause13]

Low tier MD >>> DO >>>>>> IMGs. The lowest MD school will have a match list that would be the envy of any DO school.

My bad yeahboiii I forgot who it was I responding to. Sorry

 

[Alexf]

I keep on seeing people mentioning "DO friendly" specialties. What are they exactly?

I am interested in specializing in Psychiatry.

 

[postbacpremed87]

I keep on seeing people mentioning "DO friendly" specialties. What are they exactly?

I am interested in specializing in Psychiatry.

If you want Psychiatry, then going DO will present NO limitation whatsoever. You could even match into an Ivy program (you would have to take USMLE though).

 

[yehhhboiii]

im not saying that do schools suck or that they train inferior physicians
when you're an attending, people care much more about if you're easy to work with and if you can get the job done
my point is that if you go do, you might become interested in a competitive specialty and it will be much more difficult to get in so it's better to not limit your options, especially since there are more medical students every year without a commensurate increase in residency positions

 

[578501]

You will not face a potential lack of opportunity UNLESS you want to do an ACGME specialty that is highly competitive - Rad Onc, Neurosurg, Derm, ENT etc

If you want to be an OB-GYN, Neurologist, Psychiatrist, Pediatrician, Pathologist, PM&R, FM, Rads, Anesthesiologist, EM, Internist/Hospitalist, etc then DO will be FINE. I would argue Gen Surg, but you would probably be limited to community based programs - once again if you only want to do ACGME.

A lot of options there...for me applying another cycle was not worth it.

Isn't deciding what you want to be before medical school a bit premature? I mean, I work in a hearing research lab under the Department of Otolaryngology, and I really like ENT. It would just depress me knowing I have zero chance of becoming that just because I went DO (I mean I know it's competitive in general, but being DO would just eliminate me).

 

[postbacpremed87]

Isn't deciding what you want to be before medical school a bit premature? I mean, I work in a hearing research lab under the Department of Otolaryngology, and I really like ENT. It would just depress me knowing I have zero chance of becoming that just because I went DO (I mean I know it's competitive in general, but being DO would just eliminate me).

Then it might be worth your while to go MD if you want ACGME ENT. I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do through research projects/extensive shadowing and it is between two fields that are DO friendly. Everyone's path is different and presents different obstacles.

 

[KnuxNole]

Going DO is fine. However, what I find strange is when the DO graduates or 4th year med students get upset when they realize that the ACGME residencies might discriminate them just because they are a DO. I thought that was common knowledge, and that was put on the table since Day 1. It's perfectly possible to match into great specialities in an ACGME program as a DO, however I'm sure everyone who starts at a DO from Day 1 already knows they need a headstart, and that they have to go above and beyond compared to a MD student. Despite that, I hear things like "I have the same stats as XXX in a MD school but I got passed over!" and wonder if they did any extensive research into these schools. They should know that they need higher board scores, apply to MORE programs, and do strong away/audition rotations. And to not be jealous of the MD student for getting more interviews because of lower scores, lower programs applied to, etc. Play your game, don't compare yourself. Remember, undergrad, med school, residency, medicine is not competitive. It's collaborative!

 

[mcloaf]

Play your game, don't compare yourself. Remember, undergrad, med school, residency, medicine is not competitive. It's collaborative!

But SDN...

 

[KnuxNole]

SDN should all hold hands and sing together while eating blueberry pie and chocolate milk 😀

That'll slow down the competition.

 

[NontradCA]

Going DO is fine. However, what I find strange is when the DO graduates or 4th year med students get upset when they realize that the ACGME residencies might discriminate them just because they are a DO. I thought that was common knowledge, and that was put on the table since Day 1. It's perfectly possible to match into great specialities in an ACGME program as a DO, however I'm sure everyone who starts at a DO from Day 1 already knows they need a headstart, and that they have to go above and beyond compared to a MD student. Despite that, I hear things like "I have the same stats as XXX in a MD school but I got passed over!" and wonder if they did any extensive research into these schools. They should know that they need higher board scores, apply to MORE programs, and do strong away/audition rotations. And to not be jealous of the MD student for getting more interviews because of lower scores, lower programs applied to, etc. Play your game, don't compare yourself. Remember, undergrad, med school, residency, medicine is not competitive. It's collaborative!

Great post! I've been saying the same thing. You should post that in Osteo.