How to decide to go Allopathic over Osteopathic for Match?

[futurdoc12345]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi folks, I would like to do Internal Medicine and then go on to a Cardiology Fellowship. I understand that many people recommend going through the Allopathic Match as it will provide more options in the future with fellowship options. However, as a DO student in the Allopathic world, I will already be at a disadvantage for cardiology fellowships, and so I would have to work even harder to prove that I deserve a fellowship spot.

Would going to an Osteopathic Internal Med Residency that has its own cardiology fellowship be a better thing, as I would be able to shine amongst my peers and not face the negative bias against DOs?

 

[hawkeye pierce]

I'm fairly certain you can do allopathic fellowships after an osteopathic residency. However, I'm sure it makes it harder. You would have the advantage of applying to osteopathic fellowships though.

 

[235750]

Many AOA residencies are dual accredited. Almost all of our programs here at PCOM, IM or otherwise, are like that.

I would go AOA just because you wouldn't have to worry about COMLEX confusion. Plus you match earlier.

Up until recently I worked with group of IM physicians who were applying to cardiology fellowships. I helped them with research projects, and I can tell you that's really where a cardiology applicant would shine: getting published in solid journals. Sure, doing your IM residency at a top 10 university wouldn't hurt either, but all of those docs I worked with got their #1 or #2 fellowship regardless of where they went for residency. And yes, that included several D.O.s who did AOA residencies!

Good luck and let us know how things turn out for you

 

[DOguy]

You can do an allopathic cardiology fellowship following an AOA residency, however, that is going to be very difficult. I would highly recommend going for an ACGME IM residency instead. Part of this plan includes taking the USMLE steps 1 & 2 and doing well. And not just any ACGME program, it should be a university-based program with in-house cards fellowship. Also look for programs that have taken DOs who have successfully gone on to cardiology fellowships either in-house or outside. It is a difficult road, I think the last time I checked only 26 DOs matched allopathic cardiology during last years match. Work your butt off, do research/try to get published and you will do fine. As having gone through the above I can tell you it is a difficult road, but well worth it in the end.

If you choose the osteopathic route there are fewer spots. Also there are fewer opportunities to pursue additional training i.e. EP, Interventional, Advanced Imaging, HF/Transplant (in fact 0 of the last two) unless you then pursue an ACGME program.

 

[FutureInternist]

Better to try for the Allopathic Residency since after that you could try for both allo & osteo fellowships.
From what I know, it's easier to go from allo residency to allo fellowship than from osteo residency to allo fellowship
Try your best for an allo residency, if it doesn't work out, you are no worse for the wear.

 

[sylvanthus]

I hear if you do an osteopathic residency you are FORCED to join the AOA and keep up your membership or your license will not be renewed. While, if you complete an allopathic residency, you can have nothing to do with the AOA. Could be a small perk for some people.

 

[ShyRem]

You could always do a dually-accredited program.

 

[group_theory]

I hear if you do an osteopathic residency you are FORCED to join the AOA and keep up your membership or your license will not be renewed. While, if you complete an allopathic residency, you can have nothing to do with the AOA. Could be a small perk for some people.

Actually there are no states that require AOA membership as part of the licensure process or licensure renewal process. Some states specifically require AOA Category 1A credits for renewal, but you don't need to be an AOA member to obtain those credits.

NOW if you are board certified through the AOA, then you must maintain membership in the AOA (be a member in good standing) as a condition for maintaining board certification. If you are no longer a member, then you are no longer board certified (by the AOA)

If you are board certified through one of the ABMS Boards, then membership in the parent organization (ACP, AAP, ACS, ACEP, etc) is not required. Nor is membership in the AOA required.

 

[nlax30]

I'm also going to put my vote on going allopathic for IM residency.

I didn't really follow my own advice as I'm also planning on doing cards and will be at an osteo IM program that has it's own cardio program due to family/location issues, BUT I went into it realizing that if it doesn't work out here then I'm basically out of the running for allo fellowships.

On my IM aways/sub-I at academic allopathic programs the cardio fellowships were very competitive and very research heavy. One had taken a DO from their own IM program but from I heard he was basically an all star resident there and did a chief year.

So if you're planning on allopathic cards I'd say go allopathic or at least a dual program.

 

[Bostonredsox]

For cards, as well as all of the other IM subspecialties, you can go AOA IM and then ACGME fellowship you just have to petition the AOA to sit for their fellowship boards, as the ACGME will not board you in a medicine subspecialty unless you are ACGME boarded in IM. This isn't a big deal though you just have to do paperwork. The larger probolem is you will be at a disadvantadge for a fellowship spot in cards as its very competitive. If you wanted to do pulm or ID or endocrine which are far less competitive its not too hard. Still doable but easier to just go ACGME. Keep in mind there are AOA cards fellowships. Not nearly as many as ACGME but their are also significantly less AOA boarded internists to compete against for a spot. Bottom line go to the program you like most. You may end up changing your mind on fellowship anyway.