Few Questions about the DO/MD Merger...

[Alakazam123]

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1. As I understand the merger will lead to all residencies being under the ACGME umbrella...am I right?

2. For people who enter a DO program will this help in terms of getting away rotations in MD programs?

3. If it is true that formerly AOA-only residency programs will become more competitive, will formerly ACGME-only programs start to accept more DO's?

4. Will primary care also become much more competitive as more MD's start to apply to formerly DO programs?

 

[ciestar]

1. yes
2. Hard to say, but I doubt it. MD programs that don’t consider DOs might continue to do so for a while.
3. and 4. Impossible to say really, we haven’t had a match yet.

 

[Alakazam123]

Basically, if I have to choose between DO and taking an extra gap year and boosting my credentials even more, what would you say is a better option?

 

[smukke]

Basically, if I have to choose between DO and taking an extra gap year and boosting my credentials even more, what would you say is a better option?

Apply only when you are ready; if an extra gap year would make a big difference in your app then you aren't ready.

 

[Isoval]

Basically, if I have to choose between DO and taking an extra gap year and boosting my credentials even more, what would you say is a better option?

Mostly agree with ciestar.

I think the merger will hasten the “equality”...more programs may begin to consider more DOs at a faster rate than before...but it’s not going to be an overnight thing. Now, maybe instead of taking 30 years for real equality, it’s 20 years.

Some prior AOA programs have stated that they will “not consider MDs until MD programs consider DOs”. However, other prior AOA programs are now accepting majority MD applicants.

Considering the phasing out of AOA (less programs this year than last), my school’s match this year looks like one of the best years we’ve ever had. But, with that being said, there’s a lot to be seen for the future.

I think you should bolster your application another year if ALL of the following apply to you:
1) you have a KNOWN reason why you didn’t get in this year (e.g. you’ve contacted schools and they all said you were lacking in X)
2) you are certain you can improve upon that deficit in this coming year
3) you are very, very interested in a hyper competitive specialty like interventional radiology, neurological surgery, or similar

If you do not meet those criteria, I think you should take a DO acceptance and run with it as long as it’s not at a trash-tier school.

 

[Alakazam123]

Mostly agree with ciestar.

I think the merger will hasten the “equality”...more programs may begin to consider more DOs at a faster rate than before...but it’s not going to be an overnight thing. Now, maybe instead of taking 30 years for real equality, it’s 20 years.

Some prior AOA programs have stated that they will “not consider MDs until MD programs consider DOs”. However, other prior AOA programs are now accepting majority MD applicants.

Considering the phasing out of AOA (less programs this year than last), my school’s match this year looks like one of the best years we’ve ever had. But, with that being said, there’s a lot to be seen for the future.

I think you should bolster your application another year if ALL of the following apply to you:
1) you have a KNOWN reason why you didn’t get in this year (e.g. you’ve contacted schools and they all said you were lacking in X)
2) you are certain you can improve upon that deficit in this coming year
3) you are very, very interested in a hyper competitive specialty like interventional radiology, neurological surgery, or similar

If you do not meet those criteria, I think you should take a DO acceptance and run with it as long as it’s not at a trash-tier school.

Thank you for your advice 🙂!! Also, who do you find to be the "power-holder" in this situation? The MD residencies or DO residencies (b/c you mention how some DO residencies are caving and accepting mostly MD applicants)?

 

[Alakazam123]

Also, this is projecting a bit far, but if I choose to move out of the country in the future, is it harder to find employment as a DO? I read that there are only 20 DO's in Canada altogether.

 

[Isoval]

Thank you for your advice 🙂!! Also, who do you find to be the "power-holder" in this situation? The MD residencies or DO residencies (b/c you mention how some DO residencies are caving and accepting mostly MD applicants)?

Ultimately, I think MD residencies are and will continue to be the “power holder” as you describe it. There aren’t enough of the former DO residencies to make a noticeable impact on their MD counterparts by acting the way they are.

 

[Isoval]

Also, this is projecting a bit far, but if I choose to move out of the country in the future, is it harder to find employment as a DO? I read that there are only 20 DO's in Canada altogether.

I have no idea. International medicine is, in general, less of a headache as an MD. DOs have full practice rights in every other first-world country, but there are varying degrees of hoops that you need to jump through.

 

[Alakazam123]

Thank you for the advice!!