DO vs MD

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Raheel Zahir

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A friend of mines told me, for Psychiatry DO school would be a better deal than MD. And going to DO school you get more of a different approach than only just medicine. Is that true? I would love to hear what others think.
 
Raheel Zahir said:
A friend of mines told me, for Psychiatry DO school would be a better deal than MD. And going to DO school you get more of a different approach than only just medicine. Is that true? I would love to hear what others think.
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My take: MD or DO won't matter for psychiatry because it's not a particularly competitive specialty. Nevertheless, psychiatry is what I'm interested in right now too, and I do think that the DO perspective is nice because of that reason. But just remember that you might change your mind in a few years!
 
Watermelonss said:
Aren't the mid-tier++ psych programs competitive though?
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The most impressive match I have seen was Touro-CA students matching into UCSFs psychiatry program. They were the only DOs I know who matching to residencies of that caliber. Mid-tier academic residencies is definitely more doable for DOs though, but you got to be at the upper end of the spectrum amongst DO applicants.
 
Watermelonss said:
What student (board scores?) would you consider upper end of the spectrum?
Also, what would the main benefits of going to top tier residency vs mid tier, if one doesn't plan to be a professor?
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To hit the mid-tier range I would say around 240 step I. To hit the top, I would guess > 250 combined with research and stellar LORs (even with this DOs will face bias). However, take what I say as conjecture based on matches I've seen on SDN (better to hear it from a psychiatry resident).

Usually with a better residency you have a better chance at a fellowship. Since a lot of psychiatry fellowships are not extremely competitive, as long as your in an academic residency, you should be fine for all them.
 
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IslandStyle808 said:
The most impressive match I have seen was Touro-CA students matching into UCSFs psychiatry program. They were the only DOs I know who matching to residencies of that caliber. Mid-tier academic residencies is definitely more doable for DOs though, but you got to be at the upper end of the spectrum amongst DO applicants.
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Going to UCSF is actually a school i would love to go to. I pray I get in but even if I don't it won't be the end of the world. Where can I find good info on UCSFs psych program? Good info that is.
 
Raheel Zahir said:
Going to UCSF is actually a school i would love to go to. I pray I get in but even if I don't it won't be the end of the world. Where can I find good info on UCSFs psych program? Good info that is.
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You can either look at their site or you can ask the residents on the psychiatry sub forum (you can even find their interview experience if you search former threads). Hope this helps.
 
IslandStyle808 said:
You can either look at their site or you can ask the residents on the psychiatry sub forum (you can even find their interview experience if you search former threads). Hope this helps.
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Thank you much!
 
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Osteopathic medicine's holistic approach and emphasis on preventative care are huge assets to have when practicing psychiatry.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
What do you think about UQ-oschners MD degree? do you think that is still better than a DO program?
 
drabberbadge said:
What do you think about UQ-oschners MD degree? do you think that is still better than a DO program?
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I believe the UQ-Oschners MD degree is still consider IMG. I would go to a US medical school over that any day.
 
Your friend sounds like a gunner
 
Also speaking of impressive matches - last year we had a match into the UC Davis psych program.
 
Any thoughts on how the merger will effect residencies in the future for D.O & M.D
 
EastSide said:
Any thoughts on how the merger will effect residencies in the future for D.O & M.D
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Less competitive residency spots for DOs
 
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allantois said:
Less competitive residency spots for DOs
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Can you elaborate?
If DO and MD come to a complete uniformed residency program, wouldn't a DO fight for the same spot as the MD? If so, it would be more difficult for the DO to secure residency over their MD couterparts.
 
EastSide said:
Can you elaborate?
If DO and MD come to a complete uniformed residency program, wouldn't a DO fight for the same spot as the MD? If so, it would be more difficult for the DO to secure residency over their MD couterparts.
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Well DOs could always apply for MD residencies. They also had their own residencies. Not all of those residencies are gonna survive, while the rest are going to become open to MD applicants.
 
Which is the more difficult conundrum?

DO vs. MD

or

Superman vs. Batman
 
I've worked with DO and MD's and without the label I could not tell you the difference. As for specialties, MD's will usually have more options and a higher chance of being placed.
 
Robin-jay said:
That depends, did your batman train in the Caribbeans?
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Batman received his degree from a university that is a part of the League of Shadows. It is even more prestigious than any university associated with the Ivy League.
 
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AnatomyGrey12 said:
Batman received his degree from a university that is a part of the League of Shadows. It is even more prestigious than any university associated with the Ivy League.
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League of Shadows has poor residency opportunities. Batman essentially won the lotto with his position after going there. A typical graduate position would be similar to aqualad's spot.
 
If you go to a DO school, youre doomed to fill one of the lower paying specialties (eg. fam med, psych, internal med, peds)
 
AnatomyGrey12 said:
Batman received his degree from a university that is a part of the League of Shadows. It is even more prestigious than any university associated with the Ivy League.
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The real question: is it worse to be an international medical graduate (batman) or an interstellar medical graduate (superman)...?
 
Neither, it's worse to be a DO student
kuzy said:
The real question: is it worse to be an international medical graduate (batman) or an interstellar medical graduate (superman)...?
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phantomyinyang said:
You're definitely not...
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I mean...the chances are high. If you're a super duper hardworking intelligent student (which all students think they are before they start med school), you wouldn't even be in DO schools in the first place. For the average DO students, you're more likely to be limited to those fields I mentioned. MAYBE general surg, anesthesiology if you improve your study habits a little.
 
HueySmith said:
If you go to a DO school, youre doomed to fill one of the lower paying specialties (eg. fam med, psych, internal med, peds)
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HueySmith said:
Neither, it's worse to be a DO student
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HueySmith said:
And like 70-80% is in those specialties I mentioned.
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HueySmith said:
I mean...the chances are high. If you're a super duper hardworking intelligent student (which all students think they are before they start med school), you wouldn't even be in DO schools in the first place. For the average DO students, you're more likely to be limited to those fields I mentioned. MAYBE general surg, anesthesiology if you improve your study habits a little.
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Lol
 
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