explaining DO without sounding defensive

[jso89]

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Hello all, I am applying to medical school this cycle and I had a question about how some of you might explain osteopathic medicine to friends and family who aren't familiar with it. Before deciding where to apply I did lots of research and spoke to doctors (MDs and DOs) and I know that DO = MD in terms of rights, access to residencies (for the most part) and ability to specialize. My question does anybody else feel like they automatically sound overly defensive when explaining this to people? I don't feel like the DO degree needs to be justified because I understand that most physicians don't care where you went to school but when I explain it it sounds like I am trying to justify it.

I was talking to my uncle about it and when I tried to explain it he still just said "so it's like being a chiropractor?" I anticipate a lot of conversations like this and I was wondering if anybody had any advice.

Let me emphasize again, I am perfectly happy attending a DO school and I know that to the medical community it makes virtually no difference, I just don't look forward to having to justify it to friends and family who don't know better.

 

[hmainn]

One way to start, is to pull up a list of doctors at a local hospital that they know and love. Should show a good number of DOs among the batch of MDs. You could always use a Youtube video too.

 

[techko]

Hello all, I am applying to medical school this cycle and I had a question about how some of you might explain osteopathic medicine to friends and family who aren't familiar with it. Before deciding where to apply I did lots of research and spoke to doctors (MDs and DOs) and I know that DO = MD in terms of rights, access to residencies (for the most part) and ability to specialize. My question does anybody else feel like they automatically sound overly defensive when explaining this to people? I don't feel like the DO degree needs to be justified because I understand that most physicians don't care where you went to school but when I explain it it sounds like I am trying to justify it.

I was talking to my uncle about it and when I tried to explain it he still just said "so it's like being a chiropractor?" I anticipate a lot of conversations like this and I was wondering if anybody had any advice.

Let me emphasize again, I am perfectly happy attending a DO school and I know that to the medical community it makes virtually no difference, I just don't look forward to having to justify it to friends and family who don't know better.

maybe explain to them the historical perspective...for example in the 1960s, this was the law in california:
do + $65 filing fee = md

 

[surgeryDO]

maybe explain to them the historical perspective...for example in the 1960s, this was the law in california:
do + $65 filing fee = md

👍
😀

 

[DrWily]

I just say that MD's are 100% Medicine.

DO's are 100% Medicine + 10% Chiropractor = 110%


and when they say that 110% is unpossible, I say that 'D.O.s are superheros' because it's irrelevant.

 

[ksmajmudar]

I just say that MD's are 100% Medicine.

DO's are 100% Medicine + 10% Chiropractor = 110%


and when they say that 110% is unpossible, I say that 'D.O.s are superheros' because it's irrelevant.

...huh?....but......110%...?

You're right!

 

[DrWily]

...huh?....but......110%...?

You're right!

P.S. I saw that you have some of the same interview dates as me. Interview Trail buddies?

 

[jso89]

Thanks for the input everybody. Much appreciated.

 

[corpsman33]

...huh?....but......110%...?

You're right!

This from the guy who has "2+2=5" lol. Oh wait you bowed down...lol.

 

[DrHogFan]

Easy, explain there are two degrees in the US that offer unlimited rights to practice medicine. Explain the differences in approach to medicine amongst DO's and MD's and how many MD's are adopting some osteopathic principles. Learn why osteopathic medicine was founded. Then explain that DO's also receive training in manipulative medicine. Not like chiropractors who adjust the spine to treat symptoms but don't cure the problem as to keep you returning. DO's are taught to see the body as a whole and diagnose with their hands as well as with technology, and can manipulate the musculoskeletal system to treat dysfunctions within the musculoskeletal system and beyond. Then you can offer that he has probably been treated by, met, or knows a physician who is a DO that he assumed was an MD. Most importantly don't feel the need to justify your decision. If they don't get it, they don't get it. Once your in residency and in practice they will understand.

 

[scrubbedup]

I've used the example that there are 2 dental degrees (dmd, dds) and 2 vet degrees (dvm, vmd). Our OMM prof used this in a lecture and it seemed like an easy way to explain without sounding defensive. A vet is a vet and a physician is a physician.
I do love the 110% thing though. Just don't mention chiropractic anything in your interview 😀

 

[doingit9]

Easy, explain there are two degrees in the US that offer unlimited rights to practice medicine. Explain the differences in approach to medicine amongst DO's and MD's and how many MD's are adopting some osteopathic principles. Learn why osteopathic medicine was founded. Then explain that DO's also receive training in manipulative medicine. Not like chiropractors who adjust the spine to treat symptoms but don't cure the problem as to keep you returning. DO's are taught to see the body as a whole and diagnose with their hands as well as with technology, and can manipulate the musculoskeletal system to treat dysfunctions within the musculoskeletal system and beyond. Then you can offer that he has probably been treated by, met, or knows a physician who is a DO that he assumed was an MD. Most importantly don't feel the need to justify your decision. If they don't get it, they don't get it. Once your in residency and in practice they will understand.

Why do you think this? I know many students in chiro school and have had many conversations with them and they claim their goal is to fix the underlying cause or problem. They also say they are trained to fix musculoskeletal problems throughout the body, not just the spine. I believe them to adamantly believe they are doing this when treating the patient. So is what they believe they are doing not true?? While I do not agree with all their beliefs, I also do not want to spread misinformation about their profession...

Not trying to attack, I just wonder about this often as I work with a number of chiro students.

 

[DrWily]

Why do you think this? I know many students in chiro school and have had many conversations with them and they claim their goal is to fix the underlying cause or problem. They also say they are trained to fix musculoskeletal problems throughout the body, not just the spine. I believe them to adamantly believe they are doing this when treating the patient. So is what they believe they are doing not true?? While I do not agree with all their beliefs, I also do not want to spread misinformation about their profession...

Not trying to attack, I just wonder about this often as I work with a number of chiro students.

I don't know why I feel the urge to post this, but I truly believe that 90% of chiropractors are complete quacks.

I've always been skeptical of chiropractors, but my gf was complaining of some mild neck pain after a car accident and wanted to try out a Chiro (on the other driver's insurance bill). He was cool, confident, well spoken at first. Talked a lot about Subluxations, and moved through the motions with us (she's an RN, but we both didn't really know what the hell he was talking about, just smiled and nodded). We talked about insurance and the coverage. He kept reassuring us that it was all taken care of, that the billing would be covered by the auto insurance due to the accident. Three months of chiro adjustments (some of which lasted all of 30 seconds), GF feels like its not even helping at all so she stops going. This was August of 2010.

YESTERDAY we get a call from his office saying that the insurance didn't pay out, and that we owe him $5000 in unpaid Chiro treatments. We looked over the Ledger and he billed $120-150 every visit (even the 30 second ones), which is completely ridiculous. When we asked why it wasn't determined BEFORE we started treatment, his office replied "well they didn't accept it, but they didn't deny it either." WHAT THE F*** kind of response is that? Sorry but this whole thing is stressing me out and I will never, ever recommend anyone to see a Chiropractor. They all seem like money hungry SOBs who jump at the first sign of a distressed patient, saying things like "you'll only get worse if you don't act now!" like some kind of used car salesman. I should have stuck with my instinct and not allowed her to undergo the treatments.

Well that was longer than I had wanted, but we're in the process of negotiating with the insurance to get those bills paid in a settlement.

 

[willen101383]

I typically just say "oh i go to philadelphia college of osteopathic medicine" and they either A. know what osteopathic medicine is and we talk about that (dad is a doc/many family friends are docs/etc) or B. they ask what osteopathic medicine is and I say: its the same thing as MD,same residencies etc, usually cite the dmd/dds thing, throw in a little about we get some extra physical therapy type training. or C. They dont catch the osteopathic part and just assume I am an MD.

 

[gmcguitar4]

Sometimes when I explain it to people they have heard of it and are like..isn't it easier to get in to DO than MD? If its easier how is it the same? I feel like MD is a real doctor and DO is more like a PA.

And then I go into the explanation and they usually lose interest half way into the conversation and ignorance remains.

I now just say to people..it is the same ****. they can do brain surgery, they make the same amount of money, and they get MD on their license plates. Then after that people are like ohhh I never knew that.

 

[DrHogFan]

Why do you think this? I know many students in chiro school and have had many conversations with them and they claim their goal is to fix the underlying cause or problem. They also say they are trained to fix musculoskeletal problems throughout the body, not just the spine. I believe them to adamantly believe they are doing this when treating the patient. So is what they believe they are doing not true?? While I do not agree with all their beliefs, I also do not want to spread misinformation about their profession...

Not trying to attack, I just wonder about this often as I work with a number of chiro students.

I apologize, I did sound a little demeaning towards chiropractic, but I definitely don't look down upon it. I was on a break from studying head and neck, so that may be the cause. I dont want thistobe a bash/defend chiropractic thread. I just hate the analogy "same as MD, but with chiropractic, and a little physical therapy." OMT may resemble, and there may actually be shared techniques amongst the profession, but OMT is not the same as either for the most part. And if you want to give an accurate depiction of the osteopathic profession, you don't want people writing (rightfully or wrongfully) you off onthesolefact you mentioned chiropractic, homeopathy, etc. when those anaologies aren't totally accurate. Like others have said, just say there are two degrees that allow someone to practice medicine, perform surgery, and deliver babies. If they want to know specifics then feel free to offer information. Offer it so that you aren't giving the"same as an MD" speech. They should be able to put 1 and 1 together on their own. If not do you really care what they think?

 

[jso89]

I apologize, I did sound a little demeaning towards chiropractic, but I definitely don't look down upon it. I was on a break from studying head and neck, so that may be the cause. I dont want thistobe a bash/defend chiropractic thread. I just hate the analogy "same as MD, but with chiropractic, and a little physical therapy." OMT may resemble, and there may actually be shared techniques amongst the profession, but OMT is not the same as either for the most part. And if you want to give an accurate depiction of the osteopathic profession, you don't want people writing (rightfully or wrongfully) you off onthesolefact you mentioned chiropractic, homeopathy, etc. when those anaologies aren't totally accurate. Like others have said, just say there are two degrees that allow someone to practice medicine, perform surgery, and deliver babies. If they want to know specifics then feel free to offer information. Offer it so that you aren't giving the"same as an MD" speech. They should be able to put 1 and 1 together on their own. If not do you really care what they think?

Well in the case of strangers, no not really, but in the case of my family I do. I know that in the long run, once I'm practicing (a million years from now), it won't matter but it's something I'm not looking forward to explaining over and over again. Thanks again for your input.