DOs and IM vs IM Subspecialties???

[bob13]

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I have a question. I have been researching info on DO programs and understand their emphasis on primary care, but I rarely see DO that are internal med. Does anyone know why this is? Is there not board certification (BC) for IM DO?s? I tend to see more DO?s with IM subspecialties (nephro, cardio, ect) at my hospital. Is this because they can get BC by being specialist vs just a IM doc?

Thanks 😕

 

[bob13]

Hello.........is anyone here???????????

 

[sophiejane]

You should post this on the IM Residency board. Pre-meds aren't likely to have the answers you need.

 

[jopdo]

I have a question. I have been researching info on DO programs and understand their emphasis on primary care, but I rarely see DO that are internal med. Does anyone know why this is? Is there not board certification (BC) for IM DO?s? I tend to see more DO?s with IM subspecialties (nephro, cardio, ect) at my hospital. Is this because they can get BC by being specialist vs just a IM doc?

Thanks 😕

I am merely a premed/soon to be med, so, I am not sure if I am right, but I will take a stab at it. As far as I know, when one decides on a type of residency, it must first be a general residency i.e., primary care, IM, peds, Surgery, OB/GYN, family med... Sub-specialties derive from these general categories. So, if you ultimately become BC for cardio, nephro...it is assumed that a IM has been undertaken in conjunction. For example, lets say I want to be a Rheumatologist. I would opt for an IM program and then undertake a Rheum fellowship to become BC for Rheum. Like I said, I am not completely sure if this is true, so other opinions from this website would be great. Does this answer any questions for you?

 

[Claymore]

Actually, there are lots of DO's in Internal Medicine. Along with Family Practice it is one of the specialties with the most DO's in it. Of course there is board certification for DO's in IM, either via the osteopathic or allopathic boards.

IM subspecialties (cardio, GI, endocrine, heme/onc, nephro, pulm, rheum, allergy, etc) are done after one has completed a residency in IM. Therefore, the subspecialists you see have completed training in both general IM and their subspecialty. They then can become board certified in both areas.

 

[Ryan]

Please see my answer in the Medical Students thread

.. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=131769