Here is what annoys me about the failed GME merger...

[GUH]

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Frankly just as MD PDs discriminate DOs, so will DO PDs discrimate MDs. So we have much more to gain from the merger.

...what exactly would we gain that we don't have already?

 

[sazerac]

Aren't you guys ignoring the 500lb gorilla in the room, Internal Medicine?

Today the number of IM physicians who remain as general internists is vanishingly small. Most move on to fellowships where they can specialize and make serious bank. If DO's offer very few fellowships of their own, and AOA DOs are cut off from the ACGME fellowships, then only ACGME graduates will be able to enter the lucrative fellowships like cardiology, GI, pulmonary, etc., and many DO's will (out of necessity) turn Internal Medicine into (gasp) a primary care specialty again.

 

[Mehd School]

Frankly just as MD PDs discriminate DOs, so will DO PDs discrimate MDs. So we have much more to gain from the merger.

This is just pure speculation on your part. I'd be willing to bet there are quite a few MD students from mid teir programs that really want Neurosurgery, Derm, etc. It's nice to think that the old guard DO PD's will protect the DO students, but like I said earlier it might not be this cut and dry.

 

[as1212559]

I've been skeptical of this merger from the start. It seems that the only person fighting to improve my opportunities as a DO is me. I'm okay with that I guess.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

...what exactly would we gain that we don't have already?

The ability to apply to ACGME residencies for competitive things like Gen Surgery and also be able to have a safe idea of getting into AOA.

Right now most applicants can risk it or take a good shot for AOA. So yes, for mid tier applicants and higher this is a major win.

 

[jayoh]

...what exactly would we gain that we don't have already?

Seems to me like the merger would even out the playing field, and open the doors to really nice residencies in really competitive specialties to MD/DO students alike. I doubt it would have much of an effect in the short term, but it seems like a step in the right direction for sure. I would just like to see one set of board exams, one match, one accreditation. I know this merger was not going to affect the boards and match, but again, seemed like a solid step in the right direction in my eyes.

I guess there is the bright side of the protected aoa residencies, if you want to go for those.

 

[hallowmann]

This is just pure speculation on your part. I'd be willing to bet there are quite a few MD students from mid teir programs that really want Neurosurgery, Derm, etc. It's nice to think that the old guard DO PD's will protect the DO students, but like I said earlier it might not be this cut and dry.

I doubt they'd suddenly only accept MDs.

Also, this is something that could easily be controlled by having an OMM requirement. That way, any MDs would either need to do a workshop, training, or residency in OMM to apply to the traditionally AOA residencies. This would at least limit the MDs applying to AOA residencies to those who are truly interested into osteopathic medicine.

Who knows though if this was even an option or if it was something that the ACGME just couldn't accept? I think it would be a money maker for DO schools. Charging all the "rich" (read hefty loans) med students for a course in OMM seems like a nice job on the side for DO schools.

The ability to apply to ACGME residencies for competitive things like Gen Surgery and also be able to have a safe idea of getting into AOA.

Right now most applicants can risk it or take a good shot for AOA. So yes, for mid tier applicants and higher this is a major win.

Don't forget the people who have to do a TRI to get licensed in their states. Those people wouldn't have to add an extra 1 year internship to their residency to practice in those 4 states.