Geographical realizations

[undergrad_1020]

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As an OMS-II, looking for some confirmation/insights here:

Are almost all DO residencies really in rural areas? While I don’t want to practice primary care (but know that’s likely where I’ll land), I can’t imagine having to do residency (and maybe work) in a rural area away from friends, family, life etc. on the east coast. DO residencies seem very limited on the east coast, and in popular areas seem to all be MD residencies; as a DO not taking USMLE, I’m assuming I can’t rely on getting into such desirable locations.
(I’m well aware the USMLE is largely considered the de facto exam in today’s world. I have lost all motivation to continue school and barely study at all, I’ve given up. No idea how I’ll do on comlex, and no way I’ll pass usmle. Only thing keeping me going is the idea that I can end up in a location that I like. As an average comlex scoring DO student having even this opportunity at risk scares me. I really need this reality to sink in to avoid an idealistically-naive optimism for the future.)

Thank you for any insights.

 

[Meekor]

As an OMS-II, looking for some confirmation/insights here:

Are almost all DO residencies really in rural areas? While I don’t want to practice primary care (but know that’s likely where I’ll land), I can’t imagine having to do residency (and maybe work) in a rural area away from friends, family, life etc. on the east coast. DO residencies seem very limited on the east coast, and in popular areas seem to all be MD residencies; as a DO not taking USMLE, I’m assuming I can’t rely on getting into such desirable locations.
(I’m well aware the USMLE is largely considered the de facto exam in today’s world. I have lost all motivation to continue school and barely study at all, I’ve given up. No idea how I’ll do on comlex, and no way I’ll pass usmle. Only thing keeping me going is the idea that I can end up in a location that I like. As an average comlex scoring DO student having even this opportunity at risk scares me. I really need this reality to sink in to avoid an idealistically-naive optimism for the future.)

Thank you for any insights.

Yeah this isn’t true, and when you graduate there won’t be AOA residencies anymore it’ll all be acgme. Just focus on doing well on boards, and if you’re that concerned if seriaojly reconsider taking USMLE. You should also reorient your goals, and about your future career because you’re worrying about the wrong things right now. Also sounds like you need to get some help and talk to somebody, don’t spiral downward any further.

 

[QueenJames]

Who cares.

Even if you do FM, it's only 3 frickin' years.

After that, you can get a job anywhere at that point.

An hour outside of major cities tends to pay more and your dollar stretches further.

Let's the chips fall where they may.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

There are lots of former DO FM in Florida near the coast (miami, orlando etc). I don't think you are confined to BFE.

 

[ortnakas]

If your definition of “rural” is everywhere not Boston and New York City, you might be right. But DOs work as residents and attendings pretty much everywhere these days (even the cities above, they’re just harder to crack into).

 

[Scrubs101]

At least in MI most of them are in suburbia and metro detroit, some detroit / grand rapids. I believe theres a decent amount in NYC and philly too. Not too familiar with other states to know others

 

[Redpancreas]

At least in MI most of them are in suburbia and metro detroit, some detroit / grand rapids. I believe theres a decent amount in NYC and philly too. Not too familiar with other states to know others

Michigan is a very friendly DO state though as I’m sure you’re aware. I would imagine the DO degree won’t keep you out of the location you want, and @QueenJames point is sound. It’s not like Boston, D.C., NYC, and Philadelphia are anti-DO to practice, but for academic programs within IM, the lower/mid tier programs that should have DOs don’t implying a definite bias. Just do residency and get a job. Most people I would think could upgrade location for a small pay cut after residency.

 

[acapnial]

As an OMS-II, looking for some confirmation/insights here:

Are almost all DO residencies really in rural areas? While I don’t want to practice primary care (but know that’s likely where I’ll land), I can’t imagine having to do residency (and maybe work) in a rural area away from friends, family, life etc. on the east coast. DO residencies seem very limited on the east coast, and in popular areas seem to all be MD residencies; as a DO not taking USMLE, I’m assuming I can’t rely on getting into such desirable locations.
(I’m well aware the USMLE is largely considered the de facto exam in today’s world. I have lost all motivation to continue school and barely study at all, I’ve given up. No idea how I’ll do on comlex, and no way I’ll pass usmle. Only thing keeping me going is the idea that I can end up in a location that I like. As an average comlex scoring DO student having even this opportunity at risk scares me. I really need this reality to sink in to avoid an idealistically-naive optimism for the future.)

Thank you for any insights.

Three years is short, you can live anywhere for that long. Think of it as your chance to explore living in another area of the country for a little while. After that you can work anywhere. NYC, boston, orlando, whatever your heart desires.

 

[Scrubs101]

Michigan is a very friendly DO state though as I’m sure you’re aware. I would imagine the DO degree won’t keep you out of the location you want, and @QueenJames point is sound. It’s not like Boston, D.C., NYC, and Philadelphia are anti-DO to practice, but for academic programs within IM, the lower/mid tier programs that should have DOs don’t implying a definite bias. Just do residency and get a job. Most people I would think could upgrade location for a small pay cut after residency.

Ahhh i must have misinterpreted the question, thought OP was asking about cities where AOA residencies were located. My bad, i def agree with all of the above then

 

[workaholic181]

Depends where on the East Coast. I do think Boston and NYC are harder from conversations I've had with DO attendings. Philly is very DO friendly with PCOM and Rowan straddling the metro area, and there are a bunch of AOA residencies locally (mainly on the NJ side of the Delaware though).

But wont you be the first year of a merged residency match anyway? You wont have to apply to strictly AOA residencies. With a unified match its far less risky for DOs to apply ACGME too.

 

[InternistDO]

There are several AOA programs in New York City, and many ACGME programs that take DOs every year in most of the common DO specialities (Gas, EM, FM, IM, peds, psych). Look at Touro or NYCOMs match list.

 

[Robotfishbrain]

Things have changed so much in the last 2 years I'd say that any answer you receive in this thread is likely to change after the merger. If you have the average board score for a specific residency, just go ahead and apply to it.

 

[Goro]

As an OMS-II, looking for some confirmation/insights here:

Are almost all DO residencies really in rural areas? While I don’t want to practice primary care (but know that’s likely where I’ll land), I can’t imagine having to do residency (and maybe work) in a rural area away from friends, family, life etc. on the east coast. DO residencies seem very limited on the east coast, and in popular areas seem to all be MD residencies; as a DO not taking USMLE, I’m assuming I can’t rely on getting into such desirable locations.
(I’m well aware the USMLE is largely considered the de facto exam in today’s world. I have lost all motivation to continue school and barely study at all, I’ve given up. No idea how I’ll do on comlex, and no way I’ll pass usmle. Only thing keeping me going is the idea that I can end up in a location that I like. As an average comlex scoring DO student having even this opportunity at risk scares me. I really need this reality to sink in to avoid an idealistically-naive optimism for the future.)

Thank you for any insights.

NO