DO's in identity crisis?

[gbey]

This is no meant to offend anyone.. OK.
I am applying to DO schools and am in the process of gathering info about osteopathic medicine.
Part of that process took me to a walk-in clinic in Nashua, NH. From outside the sign says:

Family Practice of Merrimack
XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX, DO

So I went into the office. A receptionist greeted me warmly. I asked if I can just take a business card. She asked "Do you want to be a patient?" "I just want to take the b.card and, perhaps I will call", I answered.

Then I asked "What is D.O.?" Guess what her answer was...
"Ummm.. Osteopathic, he is a bone specialist".
Why being shrewed? This is no different from Chiropractors hiding their labels as much as they can.
"You are what you are", somebody told me once. My second trip took me to Barnes and Noble. I found a book on D.O.'s. It talks about the seccess and difficulty of being a a D.O.. There are cases where DO' come out and go to court to get the title MD. Why? I almost have decided to go to Osteo. schools. But I just keep getting confused. Maybe I am just a confused person. I don't know.

Do not be sad about my writing, just think about it.

Gebe

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[Atlas]

It sounds like his receptionist needs to review her medical terminology. Obviously, it sounds like she had no idea because she stuck "Osteo", meaning "bone", with physician and magically arrived at bone doctor. It's not her fault entirely. She's probably just one of many medically misinformed people in this country. Or, she probably was trying to tell you he is a physician and that he uses OMT as a major component of his practice. That's all. No big deal.

 

[Monkey5555]

what book gebe?

 

[west]

On the one hand that is kind of disappointing. However, on the other--it is very exciting. There is so much work to be done! We, who are entering the field have so many opportunities to educate the public about D.O.s and the role we will play in the future of healthcare! It is a challenge--I am sure if I asked someone in my area what a D.O. was I would get a similar reply. I think it depends on what part of the country you are in.

Not to worry D.O.s have been faced with challenges since the beginning. Have you read the book: "The D.O.s" by Gevitz? You should. It is great!

It is not us who have the identity crisis--it is more that the general public in some areas doesn't quite understand yet.

Hope this helps a little.

By the way--I am not yet a D.O. student. I hope to be in the Fall of 2003--you take care!

 

[MSERMAN]

Hey West,

I know my bio says I live in Birmingham, AL. I have not updated it. I now live in Hattiesburg, MS & attended the University of Southern Miss. with a Biology degree in 98. I just finished my masters at USM. I am applying for 2003 also. Send me a private e-mail and we can talk about schools we are applying too.

[email protected]

 

[gbey]

Monkey5555:

The book is titled "The D.O's" and is by Gevitz.

Gebe

 

[Dr JPH]

Good book. Read it twice.

I have also heard mixed things from people in the Osteopathic community. I will be first year at PCOM this August and I suppose I am faced with the same issues.

Luckily, Philadelphia is pretty wise about DO's.

As I said in my personal statement. (not exact quote) - I will be limited only by the restrictions I place upon myself.

Good luck

 

[drusso]

Another good book to check out is, "Osteopathic Medicine: A Reformation in Progress" by Gallagher. Available at Amazon.com

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0443079919/qid=1022204748/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_5/102-5480350-9320159" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0443079919/qid=1022204748/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_5/102-5480350-9320159</a>