Going into the medical field. Diff. between M.D./DO?

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Hello everyone, I've decided to go into the medical field as a doctor, and later, an anesthesiologist. I know this question has probably been asked multiple times, but my version of it is unique. I know what M.D. and D.O. is... but on average, who gets paid more? Also, if one is to become an anesthesiologist, is there a major salary difference in the type of surgeries you help perform, as well as the sub-specialties you chose during residency (pediatrics, pain management, etc.)? Also, in medical school, to be a doctor or physician, would primary care schools be the best? If so, what are the pronounced top three medical schools in the U.S.? Sorry If I happen to overwhelm you with my questions, but I'm a fish in the sky; I'm clueless. 😀

 

[FutureCTDoc]

Hello everyone, I've decided to go into the medical field as a doctor, and later, an anesthesiologist. I know this question has probably been asked multiple times, but my version of it is unique. I know what M.D. and D.O. is... but on average, who gets paid more? Also, if one is to become an anesthesiologist, is there a major salary difference in the type of surgeries you help perform, as well as the sub-specialties you chose during residency (pediatrics, pain management, etc.)? Also, in medical school, to be a doctor or physician, would primary care schools be the best? If so, what are the pronounced top three medical schools in the U.S.? Sorry If I happen to overwhelm you with my questions, but I'm a fish in the sky; I'm clueless. 😀

They get paid the same. Pain management is a fellowship. Primary care schools produce PCPs not specialists. There are no top 3 med schools.

 

[elektroshok]

They get paid the same. Pain management is a fellowship. Primary care schools produce PCPs not specialists. There are no top 3 med schools.

There are no primary care schools. Some emphasize it - but you can still match and specialize in whatever you choose.

 

[Gigantron]

Hello everyone, I've decided to go into the medical field as a doctor, and later, an anesthesiologist. I know this question has probably been asked multiple times, but my version of it is unique. I know what M.D. and D.O. is... but on average, who gets paid more?

Your version of the question isn't really "unique" at all. This too has been asked by a lot of people, but I think you'll be happy to know that there is no difference in pay between M.D. and D.O. The only difference in pay comes from the specialty you decide to pursue after medical school, and the letters that come after your name are not a factor.

Since you want to pursue Anesthesiology, the type of pay for specific procedures depend on where you work. You could be payed by the case, or you could be salaried. If you are payed by the case, I would imagine that the more longer and difficult procedures would pay considerably more than your typical bread and butter cases.

 

[seelee]

It should be said that DOs have historically had a more "uphill" battle getting into competitive residencies like anesthesiology. Once there though, the pay is the same.

Regarding "primary care schools", previous posters are correct. There are no schools that teach just "primary care". Most schools in my experience emphasize primary and rural or urban care, and in every school, the majority of the students will go into primary care specialties (because they are primary).

Regarding ranking. The US News ranking is considered definitive by many, and you will usually find Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Mayo, etc. in the top five. However, those rankings have more to do with research funding, and the opinions of medical school deans, than quality of education, board scores, or match rate which is what the medical school applicant should be concerned with.

Any US Accredited MD or DO school will give you a sound medical education. Important criteria are location, cost, curriculum, match rate, etc.

Good luck.

 

[Daedra22]

It should be said that DOs have historically had a more "uphill" battle getting into competitive residencies like anesthesiology. Once there though, the pay is the same.

Not quite true. An increasing number of DO's have been getting into Anesthesiology specifically... my school had a lot of people who matched there last year. Also, there are DO-specific residencies that MD's are not eligible to apply for--there are 12 such programs for anesthesiology (http://opportunities.osteopathic.or...essionid=f0308c0f330f2ebc9f08255e3c16224067a5).

However, in general, what people are telling you is true. There are some okay DO schools and some really good ones--the older ones are definitely more established and will probably get you a better education. I'm excited about being a DO and learning OMM, and I don't think that the degree will keep me from the things I want to do.

 

[tennisball80]

If you had the chance, don't DO it.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

If you had the chance, don't DO it.

hmm.. witty and yet.. very stupid..

'DO' what ever you need to achieve your dreams, if that means going to a DO school go for it, ane if I'm correct isn't 'that' competitive.. i.e based of ACGME stats 1: 1.3 i.e for every 10 spot there are 13 people trying to get in. Im very sure that of that amount many of those are DO's.

My personal philosophy: If i get into a US MD program, i'll go there; If i don't and get into a US DO school i'll go there without a second thought. If i dont get into either with my grades i'll see it as a sign from heaven and stick to theory.. and stay away from practice. Yes.. this means i will go down the dark path.. I... Will get a PHD!!!

In short, in terms of practice and income MD = DO.
In terms of getting residencies easier MD>DO ( but i would like to say this is more evident in hyper competitive fields such as : derma,rads,plastics,neurosurgery. For ane and the medium competitive fields the difference is statistically low and even negligible.

 

[Phlame217]

There really is no bias out there in the field. I have two family members who are DO's, and one MD. One of the DOs is actually what you want to be, a Pain Management specialized Anesthesiologist who owns his own practice consisting of 3 clinics throughout Wyoming. He makes above 7 figures and is obviously doing very well.

In fact, he actually employs two MD's who went to the same residency as him, and one who went through his fellowship program with him. I've talked to them about it before and they said neither was rated on the basis of DO or MD, it was purely based on scores, recommendations, and performance.

 

[schrizto]

hmm.. witty and yet.. very stupid..

It's not even witty. 🙄

 

[J ROD]

I'm a fish in the sky; I'm clueless. 😀

clueless is right!!



fish are in the sea....🙄

 

[Law2Doc]

... The US News ranking is considered definitive by many, and you will usually find Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Mayo, etc. in the top five. ...

Just for the record, Mayo has never been in "the top 5" on the US News research ranking -- it does not have the kind of NIH funding some of those other programs have. The current top 5 are Harvard, JHU, Penn, Wash U, and UCSF. Mayo is ranked at 25/26 (tied with CWRU). You have to realize that the US News ranking is heavilly based on NIH grant funding levels, and has nothing to do with quality of education or which school churns out the "best" doctors, or anything you might need for a "definitive" list. It's useful to see in terms of research powerhouses and which places have the prestige that goes along with being a research powerhouse, but as you can see, a place with huge name recognition such as Mayo (a good example of why this list shouldn't be the end-all be-all of your school research) doesn't even make the upper echelon of this list.

 

[J ROD]

Mayo is tight....👍

 

[Morsetlis]

The best doctors are those who are, first of all, doctors.

 

[DylanAsdale]

who gets paid more?

If money is such a big consideration for you, there are more worthwhile careers that don't require as much dedication.

It takes a special "something" to be a good MD. And money doesn't factor into that "something".