Does it matter if LoR is from MD instead of DO?

[the_fella]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm going to be applying to some DO schools, but the physician(s) I'm going to be shadowing are MDs. Does it matter a lot of the letter from a physician is from an MD? Most of the schools I've seen say either is acceptable, but most say a DO letter is preferable. Will my application end up in the circular file without a DO letter?

 

[AlteredScale]

I'm going to be applying to some DO schools, but the physician(s) I'm going to be shadowing are MDs. Does it matter a lot of the letter from a physician is from an MD? Most of the schools I've seen say either is acceptable, but most say a DO letter is preferable. Will my application end up in the circular file without a DO letter?

It's fine. There's like 3 schools the absolutely require a DO letter. My main physician LOR was from the associate program director for Endocrinology (MD).

Just be sure you know what you're getting yourself into by shadowing some DO's, preferably those in PC and/or use OMM in their day to day practice. That's the biggest difference between DO's and MD's nowadays.

 

[the_fella]

I thought most DOs were willing to concede that OMM is pseudoscience. Or did I misunderstand that? So far, one Dr. has agreed to let me shadow him (he's an MD in primary care). He's my physician, actually. The others have all said no b/c of HIPPA (which is BS, but whatever). I'm hoping he'll let me do it more than just one day. Haha. I also know an ophthalmologist who likes me a lot, so he might let me do it, but I haven't asked. The step-dad of one of my best friends is a urologist, so I thought I might ask about that, but Idk. Haha.

 

[TopTomato]

I thought most DOs were willing to concede that OMM is pseudoscience. Or did I misunderstand that? So far, one Dr. has agreed to let me shadow him (he's an MD in primary care). He's my physician, actually. The others have all said no b/c of HIPPA (which is BS, but whatever). I'm hoping he'll let me do it more than just one day. Haha. I also know an ophthalmologist who likes me a lot, so he might let me do it, but I haven't asked. The step-dad of one of my best friends is a urologist, so I thought I might ask about that, but Idk. Haha.

Most DO's don't use OMM. I cant recall exactly but the statistic is extremely low, somewhere around 10%. The ones who do use it, are more likely to be in primary care such as FM where the setting for it is more applicable.

 

[AlteredScale]

I thought most DOs were willing to concede that OMM is pseudoscience. Or did I misunderstand that? So far, one Dr. has agreed to let me shadow him (he's an MD in primary care). He's my physician, actually. The others have all said no b/c of HIPPA (which is BS, but whatever). I'm hoping he'll let me do it more than just one day. Haha. I also know an ophthalmologist who likes me a lot, so he might let me do it, but I haven't asked. The step-dad of one of my best friends is a urologist, so I thought I might ask about that, but Idk. Haha.

You misunderstood that, if you say this at a DO interview you will most definitely be rejected. I would disagree that OMM is a pseudoscience, there is evidence that provides strongly to it's effect. Why it's scoffed at is because it's near impossible to understand OMM at a molecular cellular level AKA in vivo/in vitro studies.

Even though OMM is hardly used in practice, it's a defining aspect of osteopathic medicine so you should understand what it is and (if possible) see it first hand. If you don't like that idea and don't want to learn it then don't apply to DO schools.

Keep trying. Just get some type of DO experience. It'll help back what your stating in your application.

 

[the_fella]

Lol. I have sense enough not to say that in an interview at a DO school. From what I've read, the studies on OMM have been conflicting, but most conclude that OMM isn't very effective except for back pain. No offense, but how is OMM different than chiropractic?

 

[AlteredScale]

Lol. I have sense enough not to say that in an interview at a DO school. From what I've read, the studies on OMM have been conflicting, but most conclude that OMM isn't very effective except for back pain. No offense, but how is OMM different than chiropractic?

Okay well how you present OMM makes me assume you will have a terrible time learning all the OMT modalities in DO school.

It works very well very backpain, but even then it's difficult to perceive the efficacy of it. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25175885

I for one am not whole heartedly defending OMM. IMHO, it works on a case by case basis and helps comfort the patient. It just seems like you'll struggle through the OMM classes.

Chiropractic: all pathologies can be healed via spinal manipulation
OMM: Spinal adjustments for somatic dysfunction and also general adjustment of MSK system to shift the fascia of any area (arm, orbital, neck) --> improve blood flow and lympathics --> better healing.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Im going to have to say Yes, the letter from a DO matters.

If you truly cannot find a DO to shadow then there is nothing you can do and you probably cannot apply to schools that require a DO letter. However, many school highly recommend a DO letter and even if they don't they prefer it. They want to see that you have interacted with a DO physician and understand the education and opportunities this path has to offer. You also gain great advice from DO's about schools and residencies. It helps even more if you shadowed a physician that has graduated from the schools you are applying to so that his letter has some weight at that particular school.

If you ahve the chance to shadow a DO and get a letter, don't let it go.

 

[the_fella]

Yea, I figured that it helps to shadow an alumnus of the school you're applying to. The Dr. who agreed to let me shadow him is a graduate of one of the (MD) schools I'll be applying to. But there's a DO who practices with him, so I'll see what I can do in that regard.

 

[PlasticBag]

I'm not sure if you know already but there is a website where DOs can sign up as mentors and you can contact them regarding shadowing. Just google something like "osteopathic mentor program" and you should be able to find it.

 

[ortnakas]

There's several big differences between chiropractic manipulation and osteopathic manipulation, both philosophically and practically. I'll admit I'm not a huge fan of OMM, but it has its uses.

Most schools won't require a DO letter, but it's good to have shadowed a DO, worked with a DO, etc. so that you can show that you don't what you're getting into and that it's not JUST a back-up plan.

 

[victoryXfailure]

Do anyone know which schools (outside of LECOM) that requires you to have a letter from a DO. I have one, the issues is even though I waived my right to see it, she sent it to me. It's one page and I do not believe it to be that good. I am scared it will hurt my applications more than help it. The issue is of the handful of school sites, I don't see any specifics to the LOR (unless I am somehow missing it).

I do however know I have a strong rec from an MD, which is what I want to use instead of the DO letter.

 

[s5260205]

Do anyone know which schools (outside of LECOM) that requires you to have a letter from a DO. I have one, the issues is even though I waived my right to see it, she sent it to me. It's one page and I do not believe it to be that good. I am scared it will hurt my applications more than help it. The issue is of the handful of school sites, I don't see any specifics to the LOR (unless I am somehow missing it).

I do however know I have a strong rec from an MD, which is what I want to use instead of the DO letter.

Refer to the AACOM college information booklet for the specific requirement on LORs (it's nicely summarized in the pdf file).

 

[victoryXfailure]

Refer to the AACOM college information booklet for the specific requirement on LORs (it's nicely summarized in the pdf file).

Thank you! I completely forgot about that since did not have other information I had been looking for before (GPA/MCAT).

 

[PlasticBag]

Do anyone know which schools (outside of LECOM) that requires you to have a letter from a DO. I have one, the issues is even though I waived my right to see it, she sent it to me. It's one page and I do not believe it to be that good. I am scared it will hurt my applications more than help it. The issue is of the handful of school sites, I don't see any specifics to the LOR (unless I am somehow missing it).

I do however know I have a strong rec from an MD, which is what I want to use instead of the DO letter.

How bad is the letter? Just neutral or actually containing negative statements about you?

 

[victoryXfailure]

How bad is the letter? Just neutral or actually containing negative statements about you?

It's more like it does not say much about me. Very bare bones.
Since my committee puts my letters together. I think I might have them send both the DO and MD? Because I think of the eight school I am planning to apply to this coming cycle two of them require a DO, two strongly recommend a DO, and the rest any physician will do.

 

[Stlblues17]

KCOM says they take either MD or DO. But I'd imagine one would be best suited to have a DO letter, if you apply to the founding school.

And i am not keen on folks talking about OMM like it's some type of witchcraft. I myself got a back injury playing hockey and my Dr, a DO was able to help relieve my pain with both OMM and meds.

I assume OP is looking at DO schools as a hedge bet on becoming a physician, which is fine, people do it. But I hope he makes an informed decision, and not be upset when he's stuck as/associated with us lowly future DOs.

 

[PlasticBag]

It's more like it does not say much about me. Very bare bones.
Since my committee puts my letters together. I think I might have them send both the DO and MD? Because I think of the eight school I am planning to apply to this coming cycle two of them require a DO, two strongly recommend a DO, and the rest any physician will do.

I would still submit the DO letter. I think what schools are looking for is your effort to learn about osteopathic medicine and to shadow a DO. The actual opinion of the DO is secondary to that, unless it's super glowing ("he will be the next A.T.Still!") or has something negative written about the applicant.

 

[victoryXfailure]

I would still submit the DO letter. I think what schools are looking for is your effort to learn about osteopathic medicine and to shadow a DO. The actual opinion of the DO is secondary to that, unless it's super glowing ("he will be the next A.T.Still!") or has something negative written about the applicant.

Yeah I guess so. But, like everyone else super paranoid because it isn't super glowing it will hurt me. Just gotta hope they will be like she made an effort and see that based on my other recs I am good enough for them. The struggle is too real.

 

[the_fella]

KCOM says they take either MD or DO. But I'd imagine one would be best suited to have a DO letter, if you apply to the founding school.

And i am not keen on folks talking about OMM like it's some type of witchcraft. I myself got a back injury playing hockey and my Dr, a DO was able to help relieve my pain with both OMM and meds.

I assume OP is looking at DO schools as a hedge bet on becoming a physician, which is fine, people do it. But I hope he makes an informed decision, and not be upset when he's stuck as/associated with us lowly future DOs.

No, I consider my chances at a few MD schools as equal to my chances at some DO schools. I'm sure DOs are just as good doctors as MDs. That doesn't change the fact that OMM is BS, which is why most DOs don't use it in practice. If the DO is in fact equal to the MD, as the DOs like to claim, why do they make such a big deal about DOs being different?

 

[The_Sunny_Doc]

That doesn't change the fact that OMM is BS, which is why most DOs don't use it in practice.

I saw some patients get temporary relief from their pain whilst shadowing an osteopathic physician. Therefore, I see that it can be effective, studies or no studies. It's not meant to cure conditions. It's supposed to help a patient regain range of motion while an injury is healing. OMM also supposedly makes you more comfortable with touching people, which is a valuable skill for any diagnostician.

To answer your question, you should get a DO letter. One of the people who interviewed me was in the same medical school class as the DO who wrote my letter, and mentioned in during the interview. It may or may not have been a useful connection since I ended up getting accepted to that school.

 

[68quebec]

be very careful about this. some school specifically states that 'at least 1 LOR from DO' blah blah..
other than that, you should be fine!

 

[ortnakas]

I'm sure DOs are just as good doctors as MDs. That doesn't change the fact that OMM is BS, which is why most DOs don't use it in practice.

Find SOMETHING you like about OMM, or you'll be pretty miserable at a DO school (and also have a hard time interviewing).

I'm an OMS-1 and while I admit I'm not its biggest fan, it definitely can be beneficial.