How will the merger impact testing?

[cafeverona]

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If I matriculate into a DO school in the Fall of 2016, I will likely graduate by 2020, which is (from what I've heard), the projected time for the merger to have completely taken effect.

I'm curious if anyone knows what this means for the future of testing. If there are no unique osteopathic residencies, will the COMLEX be eliminated?

 

[NurWollen]

If I matriculate into a DO school in the Fall of 2016, I will likely graduate by 2020, which is (from what I've heard), the projected time for the merger to have completely taken effect.

I'm curious if anyone knows what this means for the future of testing. If there are no unique osteopathic residencies, will the COMLEX be eliminated?

The AOA has been rather adamant that the COMLEX isn't going anywhere. In fact I think it was pretty much untouchable during negotiations over the merger.

I do wonder, however, if they might make the COMLEX available to MD students, and use it as a requirement for MDs entering "osteopathically-focused" residencies. I doubt it will happen, but I think it would be fair if it did.

 

[cafeverona]

The AOA has been rather adamant that the COMLEX isn't going anywhere. In fact I think it was pretty much untouchable during negotiations over the merger.

I do wonder, however, if they might make the COMLEX available to MD students, and use it as a requirement for MDs entering "osteopathically-focused" residencies. I doubt it will happen, but I think it would be fair if it did.

Interesting...

Yeah I don't see how it's fair if DO residencies are opened up to MD's who haven't taken the COMLEX.

So the only difference is that MD grads have more residencies to chose from? DOs will still have to take the STEP exams to enter allopathic residencies? Will there even be "allopathic" residencies anymore, or is it just "allopathic-focused" residences?

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

If I matriculate into a DO school in the Fall of 2016, I will likely graduate by 2020, which is (from what I've heard), the projected time for the merger to have completely taken effect.

I'm curious if anyone knows what this means for the future of testing. If there are no unique osteopathic residencies, will the COMLEX be eliminated?

Unfortunately too many people are making too much money for the COMLEX to be going anywhere, anytime soon.

 

[YankeeCandle1141]

So the only difference is that MD grads have more residencies to chose from?

Yes. This is the only thing that changes. Everything else that you hear/see on SDN is complete rumor.

 

[NurWollen]

Yes. This is the only thing that changes. Everything else that you hear/see on SDN is complete rumor.

Graduates of current AOA residencies will be eligible for ABMS board certification, which is huge. There will eventually be a combined match, which is an even bigger deal.

 

[YankeeCandle1141]

Graduates of current AOA residencies will be eligible for ABMS board certification, which is huge. There will eventually be a combined match, which is an even bigger deal.

True, rumor.

 

[hallowmann]

Interesting...

Yeah I don't see how it's fair if DO residencies are opened up to MD's who haven't taken the COMLEX.

So the only difference is that MD grads have more residencies to chose from? DOs will still have to take the STEP exams to enter allopathic residencies? Will there even be "allopathic" residencies anymore, or is it just "allopathic-focused" residences?

Who says MDs won't have to take the COMLEX? We have no idea what they'll have to do to be eligible for residencies with Osteopathic focus. The residency committees don't even know yet, but everyone has said there will be some requirement(s).

Also, techniquely DOs don't have to take the USMLE to apply to allopathic residencies, it just improves their chances and some programs won't look at your app otherwise. It's the same as a program requiring research, an audition rotation, a specific LOR, etc. Obviously it's more expensive and more work to do the former, but that's basically what it is.

 

[Luvshok]

It seems like the whole thing would be simpler with a unified board that has an add on OMM section. Require all osteopathic students to take the OMM section, and allow allopathic students who are applying to Osteopathic focused residencies the option.

Just my opinion, but I think it would simplify some of if not major parts of working towards a single match

 

[NOsaintsfan]

Unfortunately too many people are making too much money for the COMLEX to be going anywhere, anytime soon.

^ this x100

 

[Goro]

There are no plans to eliminate COMLEX. I wouldn't be surprised if someday it evolves into an exit exam for DO schools, and USMLE becomes the standard exam for all med schools.

But don't hold your breath.

If I matriculate into a DO school in the Fall of 2016, I will likely graduate by 2020, which is (from what I've heard), the projected time for the merger to have completely taken effect.

I'm curious if anyone knows what this means for the future of testing. If there are no unique osteopathic residencies, will the COMLEX be eliminated?

 

[NontradCA]

Unfortunately too many people are making too much money for the COMLEX to be going anywhere, anytime soon.

True, but I think that includes us med students as well. We're Osteopathic students becoming physicians on a path that doesn't really need to be separate from what MDs are doing. So without the higher ups, we wouldn't be in DO school to begin with. Don't bite the hand that feeds 🙂

I'm being really facetious and cynical as of late but medicine is like one huge pyramid scheme if you think about it.

 

[NurWollen]

True, but I think that includes us med students as well. We're Osteopathic students becoming physicians on a path that doesn't really need to be separate from what MDs are doing. So without the higher ups, we wouldn't be in DO school to begin with. Don't bite the hand that feeds 🙂

I'm being really facetious and cynical as of late but medicine is like one huge pyramid scheme if you think about it.

Once you're an attending, join a large, democratic private practice, and once you make partner, sell the practice to a hospital for $$$$, screw the doctors who joined after you. First in wins, last in loses.

 

[NontradCA]

Once you're an attending, join a large, democratic private practice, and once you make partner, sell the practice to a hospital for $$$$, screw the doctors who joined after you. First in wins, last in loses.

Haha

 

[NurWollen]

Haha

What's sad is that kind of thing really happens. I read about it once on the EM resident/physician subforum. People are the worst sometimes.

 

[Mehd School]

I do wonder, however, if they might make the COMLEX available to MD students, and use it as a requirement for MDs entering "osteopathically-focused" residencies. I doubt it will happen, but I think it would be fair if it did.

How on earth would that be fair to MD students? DO students have always been able to take MD residency spots without taking the USMLE. What is unfair is that DO's could take MD's spots but not the other way around.

 

[YankeeCandle1141]

How on earth would that be fair to MD students? DO students have always been able to take MD residency spots without taking the USMLE. What is unfair is that DO's could take MD's spots but not the other way around.

I hear the fairness police are investigating this issue as we speak.