Does anyone regret going the DO route?

[Mempho1983]

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I am giving serious thought to going the DO route for various reasons, but am wondering if it is a decision I would possibly regret. I want to be a doctor for the right reasons, but I just have this feeling it would irritate me deeply to have people question my credentials as a DO. I know this happens a lot with DO's, so I am wondering, if you had to do it over again, would you have gone MD? Honestly!

 

[Nate]

to have people question my credentials as a DO. I know this happens a lot with DO's,

Oh really? How do you "know this happens a lot"? Every DO I have spoken with tells me their credentials are never questioned, it is just pre-meds who have this illusion it seems. I have 0 regrets about my school or my profession so far and I do not anticipate having them either.

 

[davematthews]

"know this happens a lot"?

The whole questioning thing really does seem like it is only with premeds. All the DOs and MDs(I have asked) at Chicago hospitals, ie Loyola, Northwestern, UIC, Christ, have said it is how you practice not where you came from. Just like someone who goes to Harvard med school is not going to be looked upon as being better than someone who goes a low ranked med school- it is who is the better doctor, student, who can adapt, is dedicated, wants to move up ion their profession, etc that determines how they are respected and seen by others. Of course, this is the midwest, and chicago, a VERY DO friendly place. So that could play into the picture. We have DO clinics, hospitals, surgery centers... CCOM is VERY well respected in the area as well. anyway, my tow cents I suppose.

 

[surrender903]

i would have regretted going DO if my school wasnt filled with hot girls...

BOOYA!

 

[BklynWill]

Haven't had a reason to regret it yet and probably never will. Why should I regret my choice when people don't know or care what a D.O. is? I look at those people as opportunities to teach.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

no regrets yet. Im at CCOM.

 

[Mempho1983]

Maybe it is just that I am in the South where it seems far fewer people know what a DO is. I don't know any DO's personally, but when I mentioned this to my mom and friends they all kind of gave me this skeptical look, which is what I expected.

I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone, but ya know there are people who might feel inferior everytime they see their business card with John Doe, DO instead of John Doe, MD.

 

[Taus]

People don't usually accept what they don't understand

 

[DireWolf]

No regrets yet. However, there are reasons to regret.

Fact #1: There are private practice groups in all specialties in all states that will not hire DOs, regardless of where they trained for residency.

Fact #2: It is a disadvantage if you wish to train at an allopathic residency program in the more competitive specialties.

 

[JakeHarley]

I am starting school in the fall, and I have already had to answer the question "What's a DO" A LOT! >80% of friends and family that I have spoken to are not familiar with the degree. However, I haven't yet experienced a single case of someone questioning my future credentials once I have explained the training and licensing to them. I don't believe this will ever cause me to regret my choice. I could see how it might get annoying to some people over time. I'm definitely getting my spiel dialed in: "I will be a fully licensed physician that can train in any medical specialty. In addition, I will have training in osteopathic manipulation, which is a set of techniques similar to chiropractic and physical therapy that can be a useful tool in the treatment of a variety of conditions."

Yes, I believe I will eventually meet someone who's prejudice will cause them to question my credentials. Will that bother me? Minimally...it just depends how you feel about your own abilities, and I feel fine about mine.

Some things to consider about my experience so far are:

1) I live in the Pacific Northwest, which has far fewer DOs than some of the areas in the midwest and east.

2) MD friends and family of mine, who all live and practice in the region, have all been quite encouraging of my choice of degree. My MD PCP, while performing my school's required physical, said that if he had been more aware of DO training when he applied to medical school he would have chosen that route, for both the OMM training AND what he feels is an obvious philosophical difference which manifests itself in the way DOs interact with patients in primary care.

3) The family practice DO that I shadow, who inherited his busy practice from his DO father, is quite happy and makes very good money at what he's doing. He told me if he could go back he wouldn't change anything. He was a graduate of CCOM, by the way. 🙂

 

[JakeHarley]

A small thing I'd like to add:

Regret is obviously a personal thing. You can look at all the evidence available here and elsewhere about what DOs experience, but that's only going to answer part of the question for you. After you have all that information, you have to do some serious introspection and decide what things are going to be a problem for YOU based on what you know about yourself. In my mind, it really just comes down to a couple simple issues:

1) Is your heart set on derm or plastics? MD is going to be your best route.

2) How well do you self-validate? What kinds of feelings do you get being part of a minority group? If you are able to feel good about yourself without needing others to be constantly validating you, then going DO won't be a problem.

 

[cyclohexanol]

I want to be a doctor for the right reasons, but I just have this feeling it would irritate me deeply to have people question my credentials as a DO.

If you want "to be a doctor for the right reasons" then DO or MD should not matter, right? The letters behind your name don't define you as a doctor, it is how you practice as a doctor that defines you as one.

If you think people are going to question you regarding your credentials AND if you think that would irritate you deeply, then you are becoming a doctor for the wrong reasons.

If YOU think that you would feel inferior by being a DO, then don't go that route. Just know that most other people don't care.

One last thing, most doctors don't go around saying "Hello, I am John Smith, MD." or "Hello, I am John Smith, DO." l usually hear them introducing themselves as Dr. so-and-so. Similarly you can choose to just have "Dr. so-and-so" on your coat and business cards. But again, if YOU are going to feel inferior because you decided to go DO, then don't.

 

[Dr. K]

1) Is your heart set on derm or plastics? MD is going to be your best route.

I know some GREAT physicians who are DOs and practice derm/plastics.

 

[JakeHarley]

I know some GREAT physicians who are DOs and practice derm/plastics.

I realize there are DOs in those specialties, but this issue has been discussed to death on SDN, and the consensus is that matcing derm, plastics, and a few other highly competetive residencies is more difficult as a DO. In other words, being a DO appears to put one at a disadvantage in pursuing these fields...at least at this point in time.

All I'm saying is that if you know for sure you want to pursue one of these specialties that has been difficult (but not impossible) for DOs to get into, then you may consider whether or not you want to deal with that challenge and pursue your degree accordingly.

EDIT: I agree, DOs can make great physicians in any specialty, but unfortunately it appears that hasn't translated into completely equal access to some graduate training programs.

 

[Plinko]

I just wanted to echo JakeHarley's comments. I matched into AOA General Surgery and am happy with my future residency program. But I can tell you that I know of others in my class, and those I met on away rotations, who wanted to go AMA Surgery and found it very difficult. And it is a fact that there are still graduate programs that won't take DOs regardless of their credentials--grades, board scores, etc. Try getting AMA Plastics or Neurosurg as a DO and you will find out what I am talking about. Bottom line is for most specialties--IM, Family, Peds, etc-- it makes no difference whatsoever what your degree is. I have yet to hear of any discrimination against DOs in those specialties, although I'm sure a minimal amount does occur somewhere in this huge country of ours. There are those select few places in those select few specialites that will be closed off to you as a DO. Problem is that you really don't know what you want to do for a living until you experience third year rotations so going DO can be a bit of a risk in that regard. For the most part though because so few people want those extra specialized fields of medicine it is for most people not that big of a risk to go the DO route.

A guy in my class matched at a good but not great MD Orthopedic Surgery residency and everyone in my class was immensely impressed with him, as if that was a major coup for a DO student. Obviously, people would not be impressed to such a degree if he went to an LCME MD school. That should tell you all you need to know.

 

[WestcoastMedicine]

HELL NO I don't regret it. I have had many clinical experiences in different specialties with mixed MD/DO and have NEVER seen any discrimination. It seems to be mostly pre-med students who worry the most about it. Atleast this is how it is in the Northeastern US. I can not comment on other areas of the states. When you are in practice, the only two types of physicians are good and bad....period.

 

[(nicedream)]

A guy in my class matched at a good but not great MD Orthopedic Surgery residency and everyone in my class was immensely impressed with him, as if that was a major coup for a DO student. Obviously, people would not be impressed to such a degree if he went to an LCME MD school. That should tell you all you need to know.

Exactly. It happens, but when it does it's remarkable.

 

[BklynWill]

btw, something that I found that helps is to write up your own definition of what osteopathic medicine truly means to you along with your plans and just send it as an email to everyone you know. This way people can Google the topic further on their own if they want and maybe have more of a background the next time it comes up in conversation.

 

[Dr. K]

I don't understand why people have this mentality that going DO "closes doors for you" or makes things more difficult. That kind of attitude will not help you reach your maximum potential, whether it be in a field such as Plastic Surgery or Internal Medicine. I think it really depends on the person and how much mileage they are willing to put in. I know plenty of current osteopathic students who are getting calls from top notch residency programs in competitive fields.

Bottom line is who cares if its harder for a DO? That makes the challenge all the more interesting and motivates me even more.

 

[JakeHarley]

Bottom line is who cares if its harder for a DO? That makes the challenge all the more interesting and motivates me even more.

More power to you! I happen to feel the same way about it.

Some people don't work like that though, and would do better for themselves by not taking on the additional challenges that being a DO presents.

 

[JakeHarley]

btw, something that I found that helps is to write up your own definition of what osteopathic medicine truly means to you along with your plans and just send it as an email to everyone you know. This way people can Google the topic further on their own if they want and maybe have more of a background the next time it comes up in coversation.

I like this idea a lot. Do you mind if I steal it? 😀

 

[Dr. K]

More power to you! I also happen to feel the same way about it.

Some people don't work like that though, and would do better for themselves by not taking on the additional challenges that being a DO presents.

True dat yo. I'm glad we're on the same wavelength. 😉

 

[JakeHarley]

I am giving serious thought to going the DO route for various reasons, but am wondering if it is a decision I would possibly regret.

Hey Mempho:

Out of curiosity, what are some of the various reasons you alluded to?

 

[Plinko]

I don't understand why people have this mentality that going DO "closes doors for you" or makes things more difficult. That kind of attitude will not help you reach your maximum potential, whether it be in a field such as Plastic Surgery or Internal Medicine. I think it really depends on the person and how much mileage they are willing to put in. I know plenty of current osteopathic students who are getting calls from top notch residency programs in competitive fields.

Bottom line is who cares if its harder for a DO? That makes the challenge all the more interesting and motivates me even more.

I respect your sense of work ethic. I think it is safe to say that most people that choose to undertake the medical school endeavor share that with you. However, I am confused as to why you think it would be a good idea to attend a certain medical school if you thought that would give you only a long shot at obtaining a certain specialty--e.g. Plastic Surgery. And if you disagree with me on that I would like to hear your response, since I have never heard of a DO doing an ACGME Plastics residency. If you have evidence of such an occurrence I would love to see it. I do agree with you about Internal Medicine, btw. But why would you not choose a medical school that would absolutely maximize your chances of doing what you want with your life? For me personally, the stakes are too big to take that kind of risk. If you want be a plastic surgeon, neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, or something like that, why would you choose a pathway that would present you with the least amount of odds of obtaining your goal? And again, outside of those ultra specialized fields, I agree that the playing field is pretty level among MDs and DOs. I'm not being confrontational. Just trying understand your point of view.

PS Not trying to offend an lurking allopaths here but I do feel that when it comes to specialties like Peds and Family Medicine DOs do receive better training in medical school. I had to do three months of FM during my third year, and my OMM was very primary care oriented as well. Never heard of any MD students getting that kind of exposure to primary care. I felt that was an important point to make to all those who already are convinced they want primary care and are trying to decide on which medical school they should attend.

 

[Echinoidea]

I am giving serious thought to going the DO route for various reasons, but am wondering if it is a decision I would possibly regret. I want to be a doctor for the right reasons, but I just have this feeling it would irritate me deeply to have people question my credentials as a DO. I know this happens a lot with DO's, so I am wondering, if you had to do it over again, would you have gone MD? Honestly!

Thats a good question, and you are well within your rights as a potential applicant to osteopathic schools to be asking it. As a second year student, about to start my 3rd year and clinical rotations, I'll give you my opinion.

As an MS1, I seriously questioned whether I had made a good decision coming to a DO school. At that time, I thought I wanted to do a fairly competitive, non-primary care specialty. I also HATED osteopathic manipulation classes (due to the manner that some of our faculty pushed it on us) and I was having quite a bit of difficulty adjusting to and coping with the academic workload. So if you had asked me back then, I would have told you that I did regret it. Most of that angst was due to how incredibly hard medical school was and how discouraged I was at times.

Now that I have the benefit of almost 2 years of hindsight to look back on, I can tell you with absolutely no reservations that I am 100% satisfied with becoming a DO. Many things have changed - I do fine in school, I love OMM, and I found out that I like seeing patients instead of microscope slides and cadavers. In fact, I can't imagine not being a DO. I can't imagine only giving a patient muscle relaxants to deal with musculoskeletal issues. My ideals and goals have changed, and I have found myself leaning much more towards primary care - an area in which I feel DOs excel at.

Who you are at the beginning of medical school is probably not who you will be halfway through, or at the end. I love my DO school, and if that makes you feel better about going to an osteopathic school, then thats great.

Feel free to PM me.

 

[DOtobe]

Absolutely no regrets.

Once you have that long white coat, patients only see you as a doctor, not as a DO vs and MD. I've only been questioned once by a patient's wife about the DO after my name, and when I told her, "It's another degree, like an MD," she left it at that. That has happened ONCE.

The only disadvantage I could see is if you wanted to go into a very competitive specialty.

 

[medhacker]

And if you disagree with me on that I would like to hear your response, since I have never heard of a DO doing an ACGME Plastics residency. If you have evidence of such an occurrence I would love to see it.

Yes, such a student does exist and is still a resident at an ACGME plastics residency (integrated BTW) if you want to know some more info. Feel free to PM me. 😎

 

[drusso]

A guy in my class matched at a good but not great MD Orthopedic Surgery residency and everyone in my class was immensely impressed with him, as if that was a major coup for a DO student. Obviously, people would not be impressed to such a degree if he went to an LCME MD school. That should tell you all you need to know.

There's a guy up here at Mayo in Ortho---one of the top ACGME-approved orthopedic surgery programs in the country. I don't know if he's the first DO or not. I do know that many DO's trained in competitive AOA-approved specialties go on to do prestigious MD subspecialty fellowships.

Undoubtedly, in the prestige-conscious academic medical community, DO versus MD matters to a small extent. But, I think that pre-meds overestimate how much it matters. I think one reason why DO's do poorly when it comes to matching into competitive fields is simply because they don't get good mentorship and career preparation at their schools. If you want to match to a top program you need letters from *recognized* leaders in the field (not private practice preceptors), you need published research that's relevant, and you need experience in large tertiary care centers all on top of great greats and board scores. It is harder for most DO students to get that " total package" compared to MD students already at more recognized institutions.

 

[medhacker]

There's a guy up here at Mayo in Ortho---one of the top ACGME-approved orthopedic surgery programs in the country. I don't know if he's the first DO or not. I do know that many DO's trained in competitive AOA-approved specialties go on to do prestigious MD subspecialty fellowships.

Undoubtedly, in the prestige-conscious academic medical community, DO versus MD matters to a small extent. But, I think that pre-meds overestimate how much it matters. I think one reason why DO's do poorly when it comes to matching into competitive fields is simply because they don't get good mentorship and career preparation at their schools. If you want to match to a top program you need letters from *recognized* leaders in the field (not private practice preceptors), you need published research that's relevant, and you need experience in large tertiary care centers all on top of great greats and board scores. It is harder for most DO students to get that " total package" compared to MD students already at more recognized institutions.

Now this is gold 👍

 

[Plinko]

Now this is gold 👍

Ditto that!

 

[Hardbody]

There's a guy up here at Mayo in Ortho---one of the top ACGME-approved orthopedic surgery programs in the country. I don't know if he's the first DO or not. I do know that many DO's trained in competitive AOA-approved specialties go on to do prestigious MD subspecialty fellowships.

Undoubtedly, in the prestige-conscious academic medical community, DO versus MD matters to a small extent. But, I think that pre-meds overestimate how much it matters. I think one reason why DO's do poorly when it comes to matching into competitive fields is simply because they don't get good mentorship and career preparation at their schools. If you want to match to a top program you need letters from *recognized* leaders in the field (not private practice preceptors), you need published research that's relevant, and you need experience in large tertiary care centers all on top of great greats and board scores. It is harder for most DO students to get that " total package" compared to MD students already at more recognized institutions.

I am just a lowly pre-med but I was under the impression that one could not do an AOA residency and then do an MD fellowship (and vice versa). Btw nothing like "great greats", just joking with you (I hate when I type the wrong word trying to go fast).

 

[mswise34]

I am just a lowly pre-med but I was under the impression that one could not do an AOA residency and then do an MD fellowship (and vice versa). Btw nothing like "great greats", just joking with you (I hate when I type the wrong word trying to go fast).

What's an M.D.?!!

 

[USAFGMODOC]

I don't have any reservations at all and I'd do it again in a heartbeat 🙂 , but let me say this-- If you do,then don't go DO because you may be regretting it the rest of your professional life.

 

[scpod]

But I can tell you that I know of others in my class, and those I met on away rotations, who wanted to go AMA Surgery and found it very difficult. And it is a fact that there are still graduate programs that won't take DOs regardless of their credentials--grades, board scores, etc. Try getting AMA Plastics or Neurosurg as a DO and you will find out what I am talking about.

You can't always have something just because you want it. That's the whole problem right there. If you want to go through the allopathic match but can't get into an allopathic school (and just "settle" for DO), then you are at a huge disadvantage. It might sound harsh, but if you can't get into the MD programs, then you don't deserve the top MD residencies. You need to work a little harder first.

The top osteopathic programs are hard to get into as well. If you qualify for an MD medical school, but choose to go DO for medical school because of philisophical reasons, then you ought to stick with DO residencies for the same philisophical reasons. If you choose to go DO for medical school, but have good enough scores that you choose the MD match and fail, then tough $#!*. You can still have a DO derm or plastics residency if you are one of the top DO candidates. Who cares if you can't get into the allopathic match?

 

[Plinko]

The top osteopathic programs are hard to get into as well. If you qualify for an MD medical school, but choose to go DO for medical school because of philisophical reasons, then you ought to stick with DO residencies for the same philisophical reasons.

I agree wholeheartedly. My post was directed toward a premed that was trying to decide between the two degrees and was unsure about his future career possibilities with both a DO and MD. Not someone already in medical school. I was simply trying to inform him as to what I, and just about everyone else I know at my school, perceive to be the common notions about the eventual outcomes of each career path.

I chose a DO school over an MD school and have no regrets. I am attending an AOA residency, btw.

 

[drusso]

I am just a lowly pre-med but I was under the impression that one could not do an AOA residency and then do an MD fellowship (and vice versa). Btw nothing like "great greats", just joking with you (I hate when I type the wrong word trying to go fast).

No. You can do a DO residency and an MD fellowship. Many have...some do more than one depending upon their interests.

Dr. Araghi ---CORE Institute/Phoenix

 

[Dr. MAXY]

I am just a lowly pre-med but I was under the impression that one could not do an AOA residency and then do an MD fellowship (and vice versa). Btw nothing like "great greats", just joking with you (I hate when I type the wrong word trying to go fast).

Well, I don't know about other specialities but in ortho, you can do an AOA approved residency and do a ACGME fellowship. As to the intial question, I HAVE NO REGRETS and I will do it agian if I have to. For instance I matched into a GREAT AOA approved ortho program. However, my friends in Allopathic programs didn't match ortho and have to settle for other specialities. Ten yrs from now, I will be an orthopod and my buddies will be wondering what if. In this case, going Osteopathic really worked for me.

Here is a reply a posted on a similar question in a different forum.

Well, I just wanted to comment a little about some of the post I saw on this thread. Some of you were debating about DO vrs MD. As a matter of fact, I'm in a DO school. I personally think everyone should go where they will feel comfortable and be treated well, cos med school is not a joke.
I for example took my first MCAT in August 2000, applied to 10 allopathic schools and 1 osteopathic school (in-state). My MCAT sucked, and I received the standard rejection letters from all the allopathic schools. However, my osteopathic school rejection letter was unique. It stressed the fact that I had very decent and high GPA, excellent research experience including publications, extraordinary leadership roles and extracurricular activities, and since the MCAT was my only problem, they offered me a free MCAT prep course. The following year with better MCAT scores, guess what, I only applied to one school: Oklahoma State college of Osteopathic Medicine.

It's somehow true that one might face adversities as a DO med student trying to gain a very competitive residency. At the same token, being an MD student doesn't make it any easier. I think we all have to apply ourselves and work very had in med school to obtain a competitive residency. The point is it really doesn't matter. As a DO student, I did a summer research program at Johns Hopkins, which led to Bristol-Myers-Squibb National Medical Fellowship award. I returned again to Johns Hopkins for a rotation as an MSIII. I for one busted my balls to get accepted, and even worked harder once I was in med school. I have started my interviews for residency and I have already gotten some great offers for Orthopedic Surgery Residency. A colleague and friend of mine who graduated last year from my school is currently at John Hopkins doing her residency.
Bottomline go where you will feel comfortable, where you will get all the help to pass your boards and obtain a residency

 

[Shinken]

Proud to be a future DO.

I'll graduate as a DO, I'll complete an AOA internship, an AOA residency, and yes, I'll try to do OMT on my patients as well.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I am giving serious thought to going the DO route for various reasons, but am wondering if it is a decision I would possibly regret. I want to be a doctor for the right reasons, but I just have this feeling it would irritate me deeply to have people question my credentials as a DO. I know this happens a lot with DO's, so I am wondering, if you had to do it over again, would you have gone MD? Honestly!

Who?

A premed on SDN?

Who cares?

 

[medhacker]

Proud to be a future DO.

I'll graduate as a DO, I'll complete an AOA internship, an AOA residency, and yes, I'll try to do OMT on my patients as well.

Now that's what I am talkin' 'bout 👍

 

[Raven Feather]

Who?

A premed on SDN?

Who cares?

👍

 

[Squad51]

PS Not trying to offend an lurking allopaths here but I do feel that when it comes to specialties like Peds and Family Medicine DOs do receive better training in medical school. I had to do three months of FM during my third year, and my OMM was very primary care oriented as well. Never heard of any MD students getting that kind of exposure to primary care. I felt that was an important point to make to all those who already are convinced they want primary care and are trying to decide on which medical school they should attend.

The University of Illinois at Rockford has (apparently - from applying there) a longitudinal FP experience that begins in the second year. To quote their website at: http://www.uirockford.com/academic/family/curriculum.asp

"The undergraduate curriculum spans three years (M2-M4) with medical students trained in what might well be the longest longitudinal ambulatory experience in medical education in the country. This training is accomplished at the Department’s three University Primary Care Clinics (UPCCs) that were established when the Rockford campus opened in 1971. The longitudinal ambulatory training taking place in the UPCCs constitutes the Family Practice clerkship.

The three UPCCs were created with two purposes in mind:

1) to provide patient care in underserved communities, and
2) to be a site for longitudinal ambulatory training for medical students.

From the middle of the second year, until graduation in the 4th year, medical students go to the same UPCC weekly (2 day/week as M2s; two half-days/week as M3s and M4s) where they work with a multidisciplinary faculty (physicians, nurse practitioners, clinical pharmacists) and are assigned patients for whom they provide care.

Students begin seeing patients themselves midway through their second year, and they take on increasing patient care responsibility as they gain experience. All student encounters with patients are precepted by clinical faculty who provide both direct care to the patient as well as 1-on-1 teaching for the student. This weekly experience allows medical students to more fully understand and appreciate the longitudinal nature of disease and the value of the patient-physician relationship.

The Department of Family and Community Medicine is responsible for approximately 15% of the M2 curriculum in the form of UPCC clinic time and three sections of the Essentials of Patient Care course (clinical epidemiology, preventive medicine and patient/physician communication) taught in the M2 year and approximately 20% of theM3 and M4 curriculum in the form the student time spent at the UPCCs. Part of that time is spent in didactic noon conferences."

Not to bash DOs. I think DOs are perfectly equal to MDs. I just think that there exist MD schools (like Rockford) that do emphasize primary care.

 

[Hardbody]

No. You can do a DO residency and an MD fellowship. Many have...some do more than one depending upon their interests.

Dr. Araghi ---CORE Institute/Phoenix

Wow, I guess that is another DO myth that has been debunked. 👍

 

[Dr. K]

First of all, it DOESNT matter which school you go to unless you are interested in doing research and going into academic medicine. (Actually, there are also DO/PhDs). I have heard of several osteopathic students getting into competitive residency programs in difficult specialties.

It doesn't matter which school you go to because the school you graduate from is not going to maximize your chances, YOU are. Its called maximizing YOUR OWN potential as an individual. Case in point, there are people from Harvard who go into Family Practice and people from osteopathic colleges who go into Plastic Surgery, and each is perfectly respectable. Maximizing your potential involves the idea that you are happy with what you are getting yourself into, and will continue to love what you are doing in the long run. Therefore, it doesn't matter which school you graduate from, because the school isnt going to maximize your chances - YOU as an individual are.

I respect your sense of work ethic. I think it is safe to say that most people that choose to undertake the medical school endeavor share that with you. However, I am confused as to why you think it would be a good idea to attend a certain medical school if you thought that would give you only a long shot at obtaining a certain specialty--e.g. Plastic Surgery. And if you disagree with me on that I would like to hear your response, since I have never heard of a DO doing an ACGME Plastics residency. If you have evidence of such an occurrence I would love to see it. I do agree with you about Internal Medicine, btw. But why would you not choose a medical school that would absolutely maximize your chances of doing what you want with your life? For me personally, the stakes are too big to take that kind of risk. If you want be a plastic surgeon, neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, or something like that, why would you choose a pathway that would present you with the least amount of odds of obtaining your goal? And again, outside of those ultra specialized fields, I agree that the playing field is pretty level among MDs and DOs. I'm not being confrontational. Just trying understand your point of view.

PS Not trying to offend an lurking allopaths here but I do feel that when it comes to specialties like Peds and Family Medicine DOs do receive better training in medical school. I had to do three months of FM during my third year, and my OMM was very primary care oriented as well. Never heard of any MD students getting that kind of exposure to primary care. I felt that was an important point to make to all those who already are convinced they want primary care and are trying to decide on which medical school they should attend.

 

[Mempho1983]

Wow, I didn't expect this to get such a response. Anyway, I agree with most of what has been said, especially the part about undergrad pre-meds. Having the DO designation would not make me insecure as it would some, all I was saying is that I would get tired of explaining myself and the D.O designation to others, but I suppose as someone else said, in the end you're just Dr. John Doe so who cares?

 

[ytg]

Why can't tha AOA (or whoever job it is) open up more DO hospitals. The more DO hospitals there will be the more people will know what DO is. If many new hospitals opened up with the name osteopathy in them wouldn't DO become more known? I know they have osteopathy hospitals out there, but I have never seen one nor know of one. I think the opening up of more DO hospitals will solve DO's problem of being unknown to the public.

 

[JJcandy]

Why can't tha AOA (or whoever job it is) open up more DO hospitals. The more DO hospitals there will be the more people will know what DO is. If many new hospitals opened up with the name osteopathy in them wouldn't DO become more known? I know they have osteopathy hospitals out there, but I have never seen one nor know of one. I think the opening up of more DO hospitals will solve DO's problem of being unknown to the public.

I agree, if they have the money to open schools up left, right and center, then why not more DO hospitals so present DO students gets more clinical training, better recommendations, and all the rest of the stuff MDs have? I think the one big advantage MDs has over DOs is simply the number of MD hospitals and excellent training facilities in contrast to the limited number of DO hospitals and training facilities.....

 

[OSUdoc08]

I agree, if they have the money to open schools up left, right and center, then why not more DO hospitals so present DO students gets more clinical training, better recommendations, and all the rest of the stuff MDs have? I think the one big advantage MDs has over DOs is simply the number of MD hospitals and excellent training facilities in contrast to the limited number of DO hospitals and training facilities.....

There is no reason to have a DO only hospital, just like there is no reason to have an MD only hospital. Both physicians are qualified to work in a hospital, and this would only lead to discrimination.

You will find that a vast majority of all hospitals are of mixed DO/MD staffs. The old DO hospital model is going out of style quickly.

For the record, my school has 2 hospitals for core rotations. One has primarily MD's and the other has primarily DO's. Students get the same quality of education of both hospitals.

 

[Dr. MAXY]

Who?

A premed on SDN?

Who cares?

👍 👍 👍

 

[mshheaddoc]

For the record, my school has 2 hospitals for core rotations. One has primarily MD's and the other has primarily DO's. Students get the same quality of education of both hospitals.

Actually said MD hospital is having problems and quality has been waning there (so claims recent students). Possibility of removal of rotation is an option if its not brought up to speed (mainly because they need a new IM teaching staff and have until the end of this month).

But I agree. Many programs have DO and MD residencies at the same hospital, yet the DO residencies seem to get bad reps at this institution as not being equal to the MD residencies. Now this isn't for all of them, but research on scutwork.com and other internet resources, you wonder how accurate some of these (jaded) folks really are.

Then again, I see nothing wrong with DO hospitals because it provides the school with a strong affliate hospital in which no worries will insue.