dually accredited programs as a DO

As far as I know, you can apply to match through either one. From what I've seen, the allopathic programs that end up seeking AOA approval tend to be less competitive ones, mostly FM.

I'm curious, though, as to what happens to your life as a DO when you go to a dually accredited program. Are you forced to meet AOA requirements even if you don't want to?

 

I know that you're supposed to apply to dually accredited programs thru the Osteo match. I've also heard that if you match via the Allopathic match then it's not considered dually accredited.

I am really distressed. I was wondering if anyone knew how to figure out which internships are dually accredited. I'm only applying to internships and I'm interested in applying to dually accredited ones. But there's no way to figure out which ones are dually accredited. Am I missing something?

Help!

 

Is this an AOA match rule? It doesn't make much sense.

It's the program that's dually accredited. If you go to that program, whether you match AOA, NBME, or sign outside the match really shouldn't matter.

I don't know what happens when a DO attends a dually accredited program. Do they get to take the allopathic ABIM boards or the osteopathic boards or their choice? I would think that it would be your choice, but that's a guess.

 

If you're talking about internship, then you take the boards required for licensure which is COMLEX Step III. For internal medicine, you will be eligible for either. Most people take the allopathic. I'm not sure if osteopathic IM boards would conflict with landing an allopathic fellowship.

But I still can't find a list of dually-accredited internships. very frustrating...

 

D.O.s in dually accredited programs can sit for both boards and be board certified in the allopathic world and the osteopathic world. Keep in mind that you will forever have to take both exams when you are re-certifying.

 

I did a search and found this thread. Can anyone else confirm? I'm applying to mostly MD programs, and 1 D.O. program. That D.O. program happens to be dually accredited. So can I do them all through the MD match? Because if not, if I want to apply to this place, it better be my #1 b/c if I do the DO match, and match there, I'll have to withdraw from the MD match, and all my other spots.

 

And my program you have a choice which match you are applying through. they will take DOs from either match.

 

Dual accreditation applies to the prog only and just means that they can take 1) MDs 2) DOs who don't care about whether or not they do an AOA accredited res and 3) DOs who do want to do an AOA accredited res. But it does not apply to the single position you will hold.

Most progs will let you apply through either or both matches as a DO student. So as a DO you have a few options. You can 1) apply thru the MD match and if accepted this will not count as a DO res; 2) apply thru the DO match and if accepted it will count as a DO res; or 3) apply thru both.

If you match into Prog A in the DO match first, you will be removed from the MD match. However, if you do not match DO at Prog A, you cannot be considered for the MD match at Prog A unless you do not match at any other prog in the DO match. That is to say that if you really want a spot at Prog A and are willing to apply thru both DO and MD matches to increase your chances, then you should NOT apply thru the DO match at any other progs. B/c if you match at any other prog thru the DO match, your MD match app at Prog A will be irrelevant.

Clear as mud?

 

To find dual accredited Traditional Rotating Internships, go to http://opportunities.osteopathic.org/. Search by Internship, then pick specific states if you want. There will be a list of programs. Basically you have to go on each program's page and it will list if it's dual accredited.

It would be great if they just kept a big list somewhere, but I haven't found one. This is the way I get almost all my info about dual accreditation, number of DO spots, etc.

 

The real question is if you apply for an AOA spot, do you qualify to take both the ABOIM and ABIM exams? I believe the answer is yes, so go whichever route will get you in. If you can sit for both exams, it really doesn't matter how you get into the residency.

 

So to the above poster, if I apply to X Hospital through MD match, and my other DO friend applies to X hospital through DO match....and we both match at the exact same residency....and do the exact same rotations/whatever....hers is AOA approved and my year is not??

 

You don't do the exact same rotations. Take IM for example. AOA intern year requires a month of something ACGME does not (I think it's either surgery or women's health). So you give up an elective month or two to fulfill the AOA requirements. So no, your intern year doesn't count for AOA because it doesn't fulfill the requirements.

 

My point was that as a D.O. applying to a dually accred program, I did not think it would change anything what month my app came to them and what month they matched me, etc. I thought that since I was a D.O. in a dually accred program, I would do whatever different that the D.O.s do to get credit for that year. It did not even enter my mind that within the same program, the DOs who matched DO would be separated from the DOs who matched a month later, into the same dually accredited program. It just seems silly.

So bottom line- if I apply to dual places, but through the MD match, I don't get the "aoa approved year" (which they offer) and it doesn't count for my AOA requirement. ?

 

I'm really not sure. But my guess is that you'll have a much better chance of the AOA approving it after the fact than, say, a full non-dual-accredited residency. Why not just call the programs and ask?

 

I did call this program before who said yes, do applicants can enter through the MD match. She did not say "oh it won't count towards your AOA approval though". I then just read it online here after I called and then more people confirmed. It did not even enter my mind that how I applied affects this. And the contact person for the residency is of course on vacation this week.

This is just confusing. And I haven't even ventured to ask the question if its already dually accredited, I thought that meant approval was automatic. IE I wouldn't have to apply for this? Ugh.....

 

If you enter through the MD match I'm pretty sure you have to apply for intern year to count through res 42. I know someone who is in a dually accredited program and entered through the MD match. She's doing an extra year to fulfill AOA requirements.

 

Or press the "advanced search" button and click the little box that says "Dual AOA/ACGME accredited Program."

 

In case it helps anyone else, the program in question finally got back to me and I was told most enter through the MD match and they all get the accreditation. She said it is program specific (and this was the program director herself).

 

maybe this was answered during the course of the above discussion, but I didn't see it. Does anyone know if it matters how I apply to the a dually accredited program through ERAS?

I'll likely participate in the allopathic match through NRMP. I'm applying to mostly allopathic programs, but I have a hand full of osteo programs and one dual program on my list. Does it matter if I go through the "search osteopathic programs" function on ERAS and apply to the dual program or must I apply via the allopathic arm of the program? If I apply and interview through the osteopathic part, can I rank the program on my NRMP list? Thanks!

 

Some programs specifically state osteopathic students should apply through the osteo match, others suggest it and still some don't seem to care. It's very program specific from what I've realized doing my own research on the topic.