DO's and surgical residency programs

[NoleDoc]

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Do DO's have the same chances of matching as an MD in a surgical residency? Also, I have heard that not all surgical residencies will take DO's... is this true? And finally, can DO's qualify for all surgical sub-specialties like Neuro, Cardiac, Ortho, Plastics, etc? Will it be harder to match as a DO over an MD? Thanks for your help!! 😀

 

[jmp20]

haha seriously.....?

 

[Biology101]

Do DO's have the same chances of matching as an MD in a surgical residency? Also, I have heard that not all surgical residencies will take DO's... is this true? And finally, can DO's qualify for all surgical sub-specialties like Neuro, Cardiac, Ortho, Plastics, etc? Will it be harder to match as a DO over an MD? Thanks for your help!! 😀

Probably some....people have biases

 

[bleeker10]

Do DO's have the same chances of matching as an MD in a surgical residency? Also, I have heard that not all surgical residencies will take DO's... is this true? And finally, can DO's qualify for all surgical sub-specialties like Neuro, Cardiac, Ortho, Plastics, etc? Will it be harder to match as a DO over an MD? Thanks for your help!! 😀

I'll bite. For DO's it will be extremely difficult to match into an Ortho, Plastics, or Neuro MD residency. Last year only 5 DO's matched into MD Ortho and I don't think any matched into Plastics. Just go to the NRMP website and look at the match statistics yourself to see.

 

[ArsenalEPL4Life]

There are AOA residencies for surgery and surgical sub specialties, right? Is it very difficult to get into a DO surgery residency? I know only DO students can apply for those.

 

[rddoms]

http://opportunities.osteopathic.org

This will show you all AOA accredited residencies.

I have seen one DO that did a Combined or Integrated PRS residency, and it was at Leigh Valley Hospital in PA. It has been done, but it isn't the norm. I wish we could find out how many DO's applied for these competitive surgical specialties each year.

 

[Bacchus]

http://opportunities.osteopathic.org

This will show you all AOA accredited residencies.

I have seen one DO that did a Combined or Integrated PRS residency, and it was at Leigh Valley Hospital in PA. It has been done, but it isn't the norm. I wish we could find out how many DO's applied for these competitive surgical specialties each year.

If anything, LVH likes DOs.

 

[countthestars]

There is a huge problem with the timelines of the MD and DO match. Most people who want to do plastics, neuro, ent, ortho will be happy to get into ANY spot. Thing is, with the AOA match happening before the MD match, most DO students who want those fields will likely be matching to a DO program first. Thats just the way it works time wise. They will automatically be dropped from the MD match. So, just because we dont see DOs matching into many MD surgery spots doesn't necessary mean they couldn't get in. Many simply were FORCED to drop out of the MD match once they got matched to a DO program. So arguing about why we dont see many DOs in these fields is pointless because fact is, if i was gunning for one of those fields, i would be ecstatic to have matched to a DO program. I would not want to gamble and see what might happen in the MD match. I have read that there are many MD neurosurg programs that would be happy to accept the DOs that interviewd there, but they just got dropped from the MD match because they matched at a DO program.

 

[rddoms]

I agree with you for everything but plastics. There are 6 DO PRS fellowships, but no integrated/combined residencies (GS is a prerequisite). I have seen only one example of a DO going through an allopathic combined/integrated PRS residency. Again, it would be nice to have more in-depth statistics for osteopathic students applying through both matches. That would definitely make more things clear.

As for all of the other specialties, you are spot on. It would be foolish (in most cases) to completely skip the AOA match, and most of those gunning for competitive residencies will match in the osteopathic match.

 

[Esq2DOhopeful]

I hate to ask these questions, because really I'm not trying to bring down DO... I'm just trying to learn much about it.

Career wise, money-wise, everything-wise... how is a DO (insert specialty) residency different than an MD (insert specialty residency).

I ask because everyone on this forum says that "they are the same," "you're still a doctor," "you can do the same things in the same specialty," "you make the same."

If all those things are true, why is it taboo, on DO sites, to bash or talk down a DO school, but not at all to bash or talk down DO residency (impliedly so by having everyone clearly prefer MD residencies).

 

[Instatewaiter]

There are AOA residencies for surgery and surgical sub specialties, right? Is it very difficult to get into a DO surgery residency? I know only DO students can apply for those.

http://opportunities.osteopathic.org

This will show you all AOA accredited residencies.

Let's take ortho for example. On this site a program may show that it has room for 5 positions. Remember that this means they have 5 spots total. So, since ortho is ~ a 5 year program they take 1 person per year.

I have read that there are many MD neurosurg programs that would be happy to accept the DOs that interviewd there, but they just got dropped from the MD match because they matched at a DO program.

OK, I'll bite. Where did you read that?

Career wise, money-wise, everything-wise... how is a DO (insert specialty) residency different than an MD (insert specialty residency).


If all those things are true, why is it taboo, on DO sites, to bash or talk down a DO school, but not at all to bash or talk down DO residency (impliedly so by having everyone clearly prefer MD residencies).

If an MD and a DO see the same number of patients they should make the same money all other things equal.

If you want to do a fellowship of internal medicine (cards, GI, heme/onc, rheumatology, etc) you would be much better served doing an ACGME residency. SInce IM is not all that competitive these days this is by no means difficult.

As to the question about bashing DO schools/residencies, people on this site are sensitive. If you had people continually bashing your chosen profession you would get defensive too. So it is no wonder most people take offense when people talk down about DO residencies. That said, people aren't dumb and if they think they will get better training and better opportunities they are not going to be a martyr for the cause.

 

[smq123]

Career wise, money-wise, everything-wise... how is a DO (insert specialty) residency different than an MD (insert specialty residency).

I am in a program that is dually accredited by both the AOA and the ACGME. The main difference is that the DOs have to actually practice and continue to learn about OMT. They also have to take exams that are administed by different boards (i.e. the osteopathic medical board vs. the allopathic medical board).

That's about it, really. We work the same number of hours, the work-hour rules are the same for both the AOA and the ACGME, and we see the same types of patients. And we earn the same resident salary, which is standard for all residents of that hospital.

Career-wise, the DOs in the program are a bit more worried about finding a "DO friendly" area to practice in than I am. I think that's pretty minor, though.

 

[NoleDoc]

I'll bite. For DO's it will be extremely difficult to match into an Ortho, Plastics, or Neuro MD residency. Last year only 5 DO's matched into MD Ortho and I don't think any matched into Plastics. Just go to the NRMP website and look at the match statistics yourself to see.

Having said that, will someone's chances be greater coming from the carib since you have th M.D. status? Especially for these residencies. I hate going there, but I felt like I needed to ask.

 

[DRMRL]

Nope, you have a better chance as an American D.O. than a Carib M.D. My Professor at the university I attend told me that D.O.s are gaining more clout and that they will gain acceptances to any residency nowadays. She works on the AMA board and told me this, so I'd go D.O. if I were you. 🙂