DO's on ER

[JS-UNMC]

Hello to all of my DO bretheren. This thread is really springing from another one, but I though it warranted it own thread... so here it is. If you are like myself and many others, you are glued to the tv every thursday night to watch ER... even if you have a test the next day! "Whats missing from the show?" you may ask. Well, they have never had a DO appear on the show. What better PR for DO's than putting one of our own on ER??? So, here is an e-mail address that you can go to and let NBC know what you want to see...
http://wwwx.nbci.com/helpcenter/nbctvEmailUs.php

Enjoy, and thank you!

Joshua Smith

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[Popoy]

This sounds like a great idea....

I'll make up a letter and send it in....

Thanx Josh,

 

[turtleboard]

And how would the show deal with the DO character? Would he just practice as the other doctors, further confusing the differences between MDs and DOs? Or would he start doing some OMM on the small screen and, with some hope, the American public will be awestruck at the amazing power of an osteopath's hands?

DOs need to emphasize their differences and NOT their similarities with MDs. Having the DO appear on "ER" would do nothing for your profession. Do you think having one of the residents ("Dr. Dave") being an Island school grad has helped the Island school applicant pool? In all likelihood, no.

 

[1 of 200]

I've heard one of their technical advisors is a DO. Since veryy little on that show is representative of reality, and they spend way too much time on useless soap opera junk, i'm not sure how the differences between DO/MD would evolve unless the DO did a lot of OMT.

In a kind of related way though, a friend of mine who just graduated from DMU will be doing her ER residency at Cook County after her internship at a DO hospital in Chicago. I'll tell her to say hello to Carter from all of us.

 

[mojo]

I think there should be a DO on ER. Most people have never heard of Osteopathic Physicians, and then they do, they think they are solely 'bone doctors'. It could be educational to the public to have a DO on the show. There's no use speculating if it would work or not, they should just do it and see what happens. Hey, it's a TV show!

 

[mojo]

going for 500............................................................................................................................................BAM!

 

[aecuenca]

Jon Fong, D.O., is one of the medical technical advisors of ER and is an alumnist from Western University/COMP. He lectured to us one day and the question that everyone has asked on this message board always comes up. He responded that if you can come up with a good story as to why an emphasis on the D.O. should be made, then they will use it.

Arnold
WESTERN UNIVERSITY/COMP CLASS OF 2004 http://www.do2004.com

 

[bustinbooty]

ER reaches a national audience, many of whom have never heard the title "D.O." Whether having a D.O. on the show compromises the uniquesness of D.O.'s from M.D.'s is a mute point. That minor falacy should be taken with a grain of salt. If a D.O. were to be on the show, millions of people would be introduced to the existence of D.O.'s, which could only favor our profession.

 

[mojo]

Originally posted by aecuenca:
•Jon Fong, D.O., is one of the medical technical advisors of ER and is an alumnist from Western University/COMP. He lectured to us one day and the question that everyone has asked on this message board always comes up. He responded that if you can come up with a good story as to why an emphasis on the D.O. should be made, then they will use it.

Arnold
WESTERN UNIVERSITY/COMP CLASS OF 2004 http://www.do2004.com•

I'll think of a storyline

 

[bluejay]

Can somebody tell me how OMM would be appropriate in the ER? OMM isn't something that can treat trauma or emergency cases. I've shadowed a D.O. who is an ER doc and he says that he never puts his D.O. techniques into practice. How could he? You can exactly begin palpation on someone with a gun shot wound .

 

[JS-UNMC]

Here is a true story from one of our (DMU) OMM fellows. He had this case when he was doing his ER rotation...

guy came in with substernal chest pain and pain that was radiating to the arm... basically a classic MI case. After doing the initial workup, he found that the guy had a locked up rib (causing the chest pain) and thoracic inlet syndrome (causing the radiation of pain). So, he used some OMM and the guy felt better in minutes. Of course, the hospital made him stay in overnight and monitored his labs to cover their butts... but, this is just one example of how our OMM training gives us an edge and makes us unique... in a good way!

 

[JS-UNMC]

Aecuenca, do you know how we can get a hold of Dr. Fong? I think that between the twenty DO schools we can come up with quite a few ways to show how DO's are unique and important to the future of medicine!

The ladies can help us with integrating the "love" part of the story!

 

[JS-UNMC]

I have found another e-mail address for everyone:

[email protected]

send 'em in folks!!!

 

[Popoy]

Good example there, jsdmu....

Thanks for the email.... COME ON PEEPS, email those folks and let's get a DO in ER within the next year

 

[jazzman]

I'm probably repeating what everyone else has said, but having a D.O. on E.R. is an excellent idea. Any kind of exposure (if done properly) of osteopathic medicine is a step in the right direction. Let me add that E.R. is the #1 show in the country in terms of ratings.

A survey was conducted a few years back, and it showed that 9 out of 10 Americans did not know what osteopathic medicine was. I think our first task is to inform the public that there are two type physician in the U.S.: M.D. and D.O. Only then, can we show the uniqueness of osteopathic medicine.

 

[JS-UNMC]

I was just looking at "Iserson's Getting Into a Residency," and according to his figures there are 2669 DO EM docs and 20605 MD EM docs... this comes out to 13% of all EM docs being DO. Definately time for some representation in that field as well as every other specialty. I have heard estimates of anywhere between 10 and 20% of EM docs being DO's, but these are the only numbers I have found anywhere. Anyone out there know the percentage of EM docs in Chicago that are DO's???

 

[mojo]

Originally posted by jsdmu:
•Anyone out there know the percentage of EM docs in Chicago that are DO's???•

American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians
Chicago, IL www.acoep.org

There you go. Get in touch with them, they may know.

 

[Aloha Kid]

All right, here's my story line. A 6'4" doctor with dashing looks steps off his Harley and makes his way in to the ER. He's the newest member of the cast to ER and of course, he's a DO.

He is enshrouded in mystery becuase no one knows much about him, yet he is somewhat of a comic relief in his peculiar ways of doing things. He is a bit out of the ordinary, but absolutely brilliant when it comes to being an ER doc.

As he steps into the hospital he notices a patient who is suffering from mild breathing problems. Carter is desperately trying to figure out the problem. In the midst of it all the 6'4" ER doc steps in front of Carter briefly letting him know his credentials. After a brief hands-on examination of the patient, the 6'4" doc. does a manuever that thrusts the patients torso in somewhat of an awkward way. The patient immediately notices a difference and thanks the DO. The DO walks off in the dust leaving Carter somewhat stunned and yet left in awe at what had just happened. Silently, Carter shakes his head to himself whispers, "Not one of these Docs again."

The character's main role is to shake up the mundane aspects and the monotony involved in the typical MD physician routine. He brings a whole different aspect to ER in the way he treats his patients and in the type of unusual yet interesting personality he has.

All right, that's my story line. Shoot me down if you like, but I want to hear your story line.

 

[muonwhiz]

Count me in! I just sent my letter requesting the same thing. Per one of the above posters, it should be simple to work in a story where a patient comes into the ER with a non life threatening injury and one of the doctors does some OMM. Rocket Romano then comes in and sees this and wants to know what is going on, and our DO hero explains, educating millions in the process.

 

[ewagner]

Though the idea is fine...why must DO's always be associated with OMM? I have yet to see it used in the ER and I am entering the EM match!
ER, the show, has pretty much become a shadow of its former self anyway. The show is now about social issues that have become stale.
Perhaps Gideon's Crossing (is that still on?) or that new show...Scrubs.

Let me tell you, if I had a patient SOB in the ER, the last thing I would want to do "pop" some rib?! I mean, come on!

 

[mojo]

Originally posted by ewagner:
•Though the idea is fine...why must DO's always be associated with OMM? •

Other than that, there's not much of a difference between the two branches, in my opinion.

 

[mojo]

Originally posted by Tony Clifton*:
•Hey, if the Sopranos talked about DO's, then I'm sure ER could

There could be an older patient; a respected DO, who advises them on how to treat him, because he wants to avoid another treatment, something major. His desired treatment consists of OMM, which he really believes would help. They question: 'what kind of doc ARE you?' and he answers, 'a DO'.

Do they listen to the injured doc who now asks to go to an osteopathic hospital? Or do they proceed as they normally would, against doctor's orders; against this man's whole philosophy? Or, perhaps, the patient could do OMM on one of the docs to show another avenue of treatment that they could have used.

I remember an old episode, where Carter's mentor is being treated.

ER's an awesome show, and it shouldn't be too hard to fit a DO in there... somewhere... •

I usually go to a DO when I'm sick, if I thought that OMM could help me better than another course of treatment, in terms of pain management, I would definately protest- even in an ER.
I think it's a good storyline. And if they used a different avenue, I'd definately show them what they could have done to avoid it if I were a DO- to educate.

I've heard stories, from a DO OB-GYN, where they were able to avoid surgery on an infant using OMM. It totally changed my outlook on OMM, and I think something similar on ER would be awesome!

 

[turtleboard]

Originally posted by bustinbooty:
•ER reaches a national audience, many of whom have never heard the title "D.O." . . . If a D.O. were to be on the show, millions of people would be introduced to the existence of D.O.'s, which could only favor our profession.•

A DO appeared on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee about two years ago when Regis went in for some OMM. I'd be willing to bet that the target audience of Live is the same as the current AOA Unity Campaign (judging by their use of ads in O Magazine and other primarily housewife-esque media), and yet that hasn't done much for the profession, has it?

 

[RBorhani]

As a EM doctor (resident) who is a D.O., I can tell you that the only time I have used OMT in the ED is when one of the RNs or fellow residents asks me to "crack their back". This could be because I am in an ACGME (MD) program...but even when I rotated in DO hospitals as a med student I almost never saw any OMT being done.

 

[JS-UNMC]

Thank you for the insight Rez! It is always nice to hear the inside story. As far as what you posted about your personal experience though, does that mean that ER should not have a DO in the cast? I personally feel that even if they don't portray us differently, I would still like to see a DO on the show.

 

[kundun]

why not cast a DO as an attending trauma surgeon? slowly but surely the cast would catch on that he is a DO...everyone doesn't have any problems with the new doc...but then the **** hits the fan when Dr. Romano finds out...with his typical egotistical ways he responds very coldly and takes every opportunity to upstage the new surgeon....the DO surgeon, is indifferent to the whole thing...they butt heads a few times...eventually, Romano reluctantly concedes to the DO surgeon...he recognizes him/her as an equal...so what do you think??

I think portraying a DO as a specialist on the show would make people recognize that DOs aren't just all about OMM...I know the plot sucks...however, it just came right off the top of my head

 

[Popoy]

kundun... sounds like an interesting story line... that would make us sound like some hero... ("us" meaning future DO's)

 

[Aloha Kid]

Kundun,

I like it!

 

[JS-UNMC]

Kundun, I LOVE the idea!!! CT surgeon or Trauma surgeon sounds good to me!!!!

 

[1 of 200]

Bump it up a bit! How about a "visiting expert" who's there to show Romano a new technique? Or who shows Benton a new technique, then Benton tries it out, and insecure Romano wants to know where he learned it, then tries to discrediti it, etc... go with it.

 

[RBorhani]

I think it is a good idea.... If it focuses on some weird (to the general public) manipulation (OMT) that saves the day…do you really think people will have a better understanding of who we (DOs) are? I used to care about this subject a lot but once you are out there things change and you will care less about what is after your name...I have never been asked to explain myself...I have never ever had a bad experience with one of my fellow MD residents because I am a DO...I think this subject becomes obsolete once you finish medical school. As a EM doctor I would care more about seeing episodes that deal with PA vs. Doctor…or Non-Board Certified vs. Boarded doctor conflicts…

But for now, for some better understanding of osteopathic medicine, I will direct you to:
http://www.osteoequine.com/Eng/html/osteopath%27s%20work.htm

I think we first have to decide what to do with all the people outside of US using the initials DO....then we can attack Hollywood

 

[mojo]

Originally posted by RBorhani:
•I think it is a good idea.... If it focuses on some weird (to the general public) manipulation (OMT) that saves the day…do you really think people will have a better understanding of who we (DOs) are? I used to care about this subject a lot but once you are out there things change and you will care less about what is after your name...I have never been asked to explain myself...I have never ever had a bad experience with one of my fellow MD residents because I am a DO...I think this subject becomes obsolete once you finish medical school. As a EM doctor I would care more about seeing episodes that deal with PA vs. Doctor…or Non-Board Certified vs. Boarded doctor conflicts…

But for now, for some better understanding of osteopathic medicine, I will direct you to:
http://www.osteoequine.com/Eng/html/osteopath%27s%20work.htm

I think we first have to decide what to do with all the people outside of US using the initials DO....then we can attack Hollywood•

Awesome site, I was watching the Belmont Stakes and was wondering why OMM techniques are not given to horses as well!

 

[cpw]

Originally posted by kundun:
•why not cast a DO as an attending trauma surgeon? slowly but surely the cast would catch on that he is a DO...everyone doesn't have any problems with the new doc...but then the **** hits the fan when Dr. Romano finds out...with his typical egotistical ways he responds very coldly and takes every opportunity to upstage the new surgeon....the DO surgeon, is indifferent to the whole thing...they butt heads a few times...eventually, Romano reluctantly concedes to the DO surgeon...he recognizes him/her as an equal...so what do you think??

I think portraying a DO as a specialist on the show would make people recognize that DOs aren't just all about OMM...I know the plot sucks...however, it just came right off the top of my head•

Well, although a good idea.. this story line has already been played to DEATH on ER with Romano and the resident IMG Dr. Corday. They were always butting heads. it's also not a stunning new plot development that Romano like to stir up the *#&# with people. I'll try to come up with something good. It's hard to think of a story line that they haven't used yet. I watch the old reruns on TNT almost everyday and I"m amazed at how much better the older episodes were. It's getting WAY too soap opera-ey now.

 

[wildpanda86]

There is one doctor on ER that seems to be most like a DO...and not because he practices OMM, but the way he seems to treat the patient in a much more holistic way than the others.

Where as the other doctors are busy treating patient after patient, there is that one younger male doctor (I can't remember the name...but he has the accent and has dark hair) that seems to treat his patients more holisticaly.

And I guess that is the biggest most important difference between DO's and MD's...the fact that as DO's we learn to be more people oriented.

Before school starts...I will have been working as a medical rep...and I have come to conclude that all the DO's I have as clients are much more friendlier and amiable with there patients and staff. They always make you feel welcome and important. On the other hand, most (not all) of the MD's that I have met tend to be much less friendlier and impersonal. When you walk ibn to their offices they make you feel as if you are not welcome and theyt just want to get throught their patients as fast as possible.

I don't know if that is true all over the place, but at least in my sales territory it is.

 

[Mango]

Originally posted by wildpanda86:
•And I guess that is the biggest most important difference between DO's and MD's...the fact that as DO's we learn to be more people oriented.•

OK, now you've hit one of my pet peeves.

The problem with your above statement is that it's NOT TRUE! Do you have any non-anecdotal evidence to support it? Do you know how I am being taught at my MD school? Have you analyzed the differences? Or are you just repeating the antiquated pap that has been fed to you by older DO's?

The truth is that every school is different. But I am offended that you would judge my entire profession as "not people oriented," without any real proof of that. OK, this is a rant, but I just wanted to point out to my DO friends that stereotypes go both ways! And are both equally unjustifiable. Your quote above is just as uneducated and derogatory as an MD student saying "DO's are less qualified physicians because they have lower MCAT scores."

Do you see my point?

One last thing, if there is to be a DO on ER (good idea, I agree), you know they would show both sides of the issue. It would never be some shining knight riding in on a white horse to save the day with OMM. They would show the dissention and disrespect that some older MD's show toward the degree, and then eventually prove them wrong. That is true ER style. And I think it would make for an interesting season.

And in case you (panda) are interested in some actual evidence to support what I am saying, then chew on this. On day one of my ICP course, we were taught that the most important part of Pt care is to treat THE WHOLE PT, not the just the disease. Translation: good patient care is not just an osteopathic goal.

 

[wildpanda86]

Sorry if I offended you...

I was just talking about my experiences with doctors as a medical sales rep. As to what and how I observed different types doctors with their patients. All the DO's that have been my clients have been very friendly and outgoing to their patients and made them feel welcome. Maybe it is just coincidence that they have such a personality.

At the same time I have met MD's that were also the same way in making their patients feel welcome... it is good to hear that your program is like that.

But I am not stereotyping...just relaying my observations of patients and doctors.

As a new generation of doctors emerges (both DO and MD) these stereotypes cannot be used. And situations may be different

 

[Mango]

Originally posted by wildpanda86:
•As a new generation of doctors emerges (both DO and MD) these stereotypes cannot be used. And situations may be different•

I truly hope so! !