First US hospital to combine MD and DO OB/GYN residency programs...

[Adapt]

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I found this article where St. Luke's hospital (I think in Pennsylvania) will be the first hospital in the US to combine their MD and DO ob-gyn residency programs into one large allopathic program. I'm curious what people think about this and if it's a good idea.

http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1086858285272790.xml

St. Luke's first to combine two residency programs
Thursday, June 10, 2004
By JOSH PONTRELLI
The Express-Times
FOUNTAIN HILL -- St. Luke's Hospital became the first hospital in the nation to combine its allopathic and osteopathic obstetrics/gynecology residency programs into one larger allopathic program Wednesday.

Dr. Joseph Merola, chairman of the OB/GYN department, said the decision by the Residency Review Committee for Obstetrics and Gynecology -- a national panel responsible for accrediting medical training programs -- makes sense because the programs are already similar.

He said the difference between allopathic and osteopathic institutions is found in the degrees granted. Allopathic institutions grant medical doctorates -- traditional medical training. Osteopathic institutions grant doctorates in osteopathy -- a system of medicine in which physicians use generally non-invasive procedures to diagnose and treat problems with the body.

"To bring those together is a fair accomplishment," Merola said. "There is already negligible to no difference in the candidates."

Merola said 18 residents will begin training in July -- six in Allentown and 12 in Fountain Hill -- but all residents will study at both St. Luke's campuses.

"Blending gets all of the residents to the best parts of both campuses," he said. "For residents, this means more well-rounded training. Individual patients will be studied more, which means better care."

He said the Residency Review Committee also permitted St. Luke's to increase enrollment from 18 to 20 residents, but the change will be occurring gradually.

According to a news release, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Reading Hospital each have 16 OB/GYN residents in their osteopathic programs.

Merola said Dr. James Anasti will be the OB/GYN residency program director for both campuses.

 

[DD214_DOC]

This is the future.

I actually expect one day DOs won't really exist anymore, or at least how we think of them today.

 

[Robz]

At the risk of offending the pure osteopaths in the audience....I'm cool with it. It probably allows the hospital to have a great selection of OB/GYN canidates due to the amount of both DO/MD's looking through the ERAS for residencies. Of course this now limits the amount of DO OB/GYN spots to the AOA residencies....which seem to be severely limited anyway.

(Hense why I am 99.9% positive I am going to an allopathic residency)

 

[Adapt]

Of course this now limits the amount of DO OB/GYN spots to the AOA residencies....which seem to be severely limited anyway.

(Hense why I am 99.9% positive I am going to an allopathic residency)

Yes that's what I was thinking also. They combined it but now those DO spots are open to competition from MD graduates. I guess that's only fair but now there are less DO residency spots.

Otherwise, I think it's a good call either way. 👍

 

[Robz]

Yes that's what I was thinking also. They combined it but now those DO spots are open to competition from MD graduates. I guess that's only fair but now there are less DO residency spots.

Otherwise, I think it's a good call either way. 👍

People may think I am nuts...but I kinda think all residency programs should be open to everyone...

I know its unpopular to some people but I can see this merging more and more...espeically when it is beneficial to the hospital due to competition and added to the fact the AOA refuses to add more high standard residencies as they allow more schools to open with more canidates for those positions.

 

[Adapt]

People may think I am nuts...but I kinda think all residency programs should be open to everyone...

I know its unpopular to some people but I can see this merging more and more...espeically when it is beneficial to the hospital due to competition and added to the fact the AOA refuses to add more high standard residencies as they allow more schools to open with more canidates for those positions.

Maybe it's unpopular to the oldschool DOs, but for us younger DOs, I think we generally would support such moves, especially if they help improve the quality of residency programs.

 

[specialkay]

How interesting - that's where I grew up. My dad was an attending at St. Lukes and Lehigh Valley hospital! Eastern PA has tons of osteopaths. How cool!! Sounds like a step towards equality and parity. Yes!

 

[DireWolf]

I found it interesting how he said the difference between allopathic and osteopathic graduates is negligible to no difference.

This supports my point that the two professions are no different except for the 3 hours/week spent on OMT in the first two years.

And I also agree that osteopathic and allopathic medicine will eventually merge once all these old-time, out-of-touch DOs retire.

I'm also happy that some of these allopathic institutions are being gracious enough to allow dual-accredidation. The AOA should be paying these institutions money in response to their generosity.

Ideally, the AOA would spend the money to improve and expand its own residency programs. Since it is painfully obvious that they are unwilling to do so, this is the next best solution.

 

[Peace&Health]

I think the merger is great...but how come it wasn't called an "allopathic/osteopathic" residency?

I think the fine line between osteopathic and allopathic can be thin depending on how you practice medicine, but there is a difference in approaches if you truly practice osteopathy.

My only fear is that we will revert back to the allopathic vs. osteopathic struggle...of one being better than the other. If there is really no difference between the two than why the different perceptions of osteopathic med vs. allopathic med.

Just my two cents....

 

[(nicedream)]

I think the merger is great...but how come it wasn't called an "allopathic/osteopathic" residency?

I think the fine line between osteopathic and allopathic can be thin depending on how you practice medicine, but there is a difference in approaches if you truly practice osteopathy.

My only fear is that we will revert back to the allopathic vs. osteopathic struggle...of one being better than the other. If there is really no difference between the two than why the different perceptions of osteopathic med vs. allopathic med.

Just my two cents....

Well, allopathic medicine was around first and the vast majority of doctors are allopathic.