How does DO school work?

[PRicanTex]

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I've become interested lately in how DO school works. Does residency work the same as for MD's or do you go to a DO hospital? Also, after your residency, and a fellowship, do DO's only work at DO hospital's or do hospitals not differentiate between DO's and MD's when hiring. I personally hope to get into Neurosurgery, but I like the DO philosophy on things. Also, on an unrelated topic, do DO schools offer MD/PhD programs?

-Tex

 

[bob13]

DO training is the same MD. Their residencies are at hospital affiliated with the school. They can practice in most places that MD's can, depending on the hospital. I don't know of a hospital that does not permit DO to work in FL. not sure about other states. they also offer DO/PhD tracks depending on the school.

enjoy

 

[Sense]

I've become interested lately in how DO school works. Does residency work the same as for MD's or do you go to a DO hospital? Also, after your residency, and a fellowship, do DO's only work at DO hospital's or do hospitals not differentiate between DO's and MD's when hiring. I personally hope to get into Neurosurgery, but I like the DO philosophy on things. Also, on an unrelated topic, do DO schools offer MD/PhD programs?

-Tex

DOs receive the same the education as MDs but DOs also learn manipulation in addition. DO students also do rotations at hospitals many times alongside MD students. As a DO, you go into residency just like MDs but you have the choice to do a DO approved residency or an MD approved residency.

Neurosurgery is a bit harder to get into as a DO or MD, but as a DO you can enter into a DO neurosurgery residency. DO schools do not offer an MD/PhD, they offer a DO/PhD instead.

 

[PRicanTex]

Sorry about the MD/PhD. I meant DO/PhD. I a good friend of mine applied for some MD/PhD programs and so it just "slipped" out on the keyboard. I realize that being a Neurosurgeon is a very competitive specialty, I was just curious as to whether being a DO would make the process of becoming one any different.

-Tex

 

[skypilot]

Most DO's (over 65%) do MD residencies at all the allopathic institutions you have heard of. (Including Harvard and Hopkins) The educational process is basically identical except that Osteopathic Medical students have to spend a few hours learning manipulation therapy which is a type of physical therapy.

Someone who is interested in Neurosurgery might choose instead to go the MD route because they weren't interested in spending time learning manipulation but the DO route certainly wouldn't preclude you from getting that residency if you aced your board exams.