DO vs MD

[Smile]

dr. henderson:

i don't know if this is true, but i have heard there is a particular animosity from the allopathic medical community towards osteopathic physicians, that perhaps they might even be looked down upon. what are your thoughts and experiences? i personally believe DO's are very complete competent doctors and have seen them do remarkable things w/ their patients. also, if i have a choice between going to either an allopathic or osteopathic school, which path do you think will offer me the best advantages and opportunities for my future, given the state of both schools of thought and trends? thank you, and i will appreciate your most honest answer!

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[Jim Henderson]

I've never experienced this. My first year of residency in family practice was a program that had a DO as the chief resident. He was the only DO in the senior class and was one of the if not the best physician. We had another DO who was also great. I never even though about the fact that these people were DOs. It just was not an issue.

The only place where I've heard DOs disparaged is by poeple reporting or asking about it on this bulletin board.

I don't know if the same atmosphere exists with specialists, but with primary care, I think this is not a big issue.

Many doctors suffer ego problems... many specialists bash each other and primary care docs. It wouldn't surprise me if some of the same people bashed DOs too.

I went to Kirksville as an undergrad and there was plenty of MD bashing going around in DO-land. But, from first hand experience at least, I've never heard any MD say anthing bad about a DO.

I think the whole idea is a bit stupid and useless.

As far as choosing MD or DO... if you want to get in an ultra competative specialty residency, then going to Harvard, Yale, Hopkins, etc... which are allopathic is the way to go. However, you'll have plenty of opportunities as a DO and can go to allopathic or osteopathic residency.

[This message has been edited by medicalstudent.net (edited August 31, 1999).]

[This message has been edited by medicalstudent.net (edited September 01, 1999).]

 

[OldManDave]

I think, like Dr. Henderson said, that for the most part, the entire DO vs MD controversy is most intent at the pre-med level. However, in regions where DOs are still relatively rare, there will definitely a be more raised eyebrows than if you are in regions where DOs are more common. I am originally from Ark, where there were precious few DOs. I practiced resp therapy there for several years and I have to admit, I thought of DOs as glorified DCs. Honestly, I had never even encountered one. After spending the last 5 years [prior to entering KCOM] in Dallas...my views drastically changed on DOs.

Also, amongst some of the OLD stalwarts [both DO and MD] you may hear grumbles about the other profession. My opinion is that these are old unhealed wounds from the day when there was a great deal of discrimination.

Choosing MD vs DO is a very personal matter...don't base your choice on the uneducated bias of people you don't know. Research it THOROUGHLY yourself.

Furthermore, what is your motivation for becoming a physician? It it some initials behind your sig or the priveledge of becoming a healer?

My thoughts...

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'Old Man Dave'
KCOM, Class of '03