hows it going to be

[tinkerchick]

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I know how the clerkships work and the residencies...yet I want just basic thoughts on time and ability to do things throughout the next 8-9 years..Are we going to be able to spend time together, what is the hardest times, I just want a logical overview of what all to expect..in your perspective..thanks..my husband is going for DO and hopefully Emergency Medicine...

 

[TMZ2007]

We are in a some what different situation since we were at a Caribbean med school. I can say that some semesters are more difficult than others. You'll hear the rumor mill about certain semesters once he gets started. The first semester is also difficult because there are adjustments to a new life style being made. Looking back we had tons more time together first semester than the following 2 years.

When he starts to study for USMLE step 1 at the end of the second year the time together really dwindles down. The biggest thing was keeping our home life as positive and encouraging as possible before that big exam. Once that exam is over with it's a big relief and you can both party it up until clinicals start!

The start of 3rd year is almost like starting med school all over again. It's a whole new phase of working in the hospital. Each hospital and each rotation is going to be different. Again the rumor mill will give you some insight as to what to expect. Rotations are 6 to 12 weeks. So there is always something new to adjust to! We have had very easy rotations with 8-5 Mon to Friday and no call, and we've had the HELL of q3 and 150 hour weeks where I never see him.

The hardest part will be for you to be patient and selfless through out this process. If you are both working to make the other one happy then most of the time it's going to work out. Just know it's a long process and sometimes very draining process on the spouse. Find some good friends that understand what you are going through and try to keep busy as much as possible!

 

[xanthines]

It's hard to say. Really it is. From what I hear, Emergency Med is competitive and not getting any easier. That and not every place nor everyone regards the DO too highly (rather unfortunately, I might add). So your guy might experience quite a bit of stress trying to do well in school, rocking the Steps 1 and 2 or COMLEX or whatever.

Typically, the 1st two years aren't too bad except around exams times and other random things. Studying for Step1 is pretty stressful since it actually is a test that determines the rest of your life! If you do poorly and pass, you are not allowed to take it again (ie to raise your score). The 3rd and 4th years are highly variable depending what service in which hospital. Surgery is usually the worst. Psych is usually the best, in terms of hours. Outpatient is almost always better than inpatient weeks. The last two years of medical school also depend on the grading system. Is it mostly evals? Do shelf exams play a role? NBME? Those things, in addition to possibly long days, can add a lot of stress.

Basically prepare for some wildly fluctuating times. Some weeks will be great. Some weeks you won't see him. He's likely to be stressed out and/or fairly often. You might also find it difficult talking to him since he'll have a lot on his mind and probably won't even know where to begin when you ask him "So, how was your day?"

I think I painted too dark of a picture, but I guess it's better to have you pleasantly surprised than the other way around. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best is all I can tell you.

If you can find a spouse's/SO's of medical students club, you should probably go so you can talk to others who may know more about the specifics of your school.

Good luck!

-X

I know how the clerkships work and the residencies...yet I want just basic thoughts on time and ability to do things throughout the next 8-9 years..Are we going to be able to spend time together, what is the hardest times, I just want a logical overview of what all to expect..in your perspective..thanks..my husband is going for DO and hopefully Emergency Medicine...

 

[TMZ2007]

. That and not every place nor everyone regards the DO too highly (rather unfortunately, I might add). So your guy might experience quite a bit of stress trying to do well in school, rocking the Steps 1 and 2 or COMLEX or whatever.



-X

I just wanted to say this because I hear that a lot on these boards. This just my perspective as a pt. As a pt. I grew up and lived in a city/area that was very near a DO school. ALL of my doctors growing up were DOs. When you are in a community were most doctor's are DOs and with the rise of NP in clinics... I'm more than happy to make an appointment with an DO! I have friends that never heard of DOs until they were IN medical school. I guess what I am saying is that it's all about perspective. My family and I have had wonderful experiences when it comes to being treated by a DO! 😀

 

[xanthines]

That's all fine and well, but the unfortunate truth is that DO's applying to allopathic residencies can run into problems. I think it's stupid. However, to kid yourself into thinking you won't have any problems because of your DO is just naive. I agree that DO's make wonderful healthcare providers, but the OP's SO is thinking about EM which has become increasingly competitive. As someone who personally knows two different residency program directors (neither in EM, sorry tinkerchick!), as well as few admissions committee members for med schools, the bias is definitely out there against the DO's. Hopefully it will go away, but I wouldn't hold my breath anytime soon. Can't we all just get along? 🙂

-X

I just wanted to say this because I hear that a lot on these boards. This just my perspective as a pt. As a pt. I grew up and lived in a city/area that was very near a DO school. ALL of my doctors growing up were DOs. When you are in a community were most doctor's are DOs and with the rise of NP in clinics... I'm more than happy to make an appointment with an DO! I have friends that never heard of DOs until they were IN medical school. I guess what I am saying is that it's all about perspective. My family and I have had wonderful experiences when it comes to being treated by a DO! 😀

 

[TMZ2007]

That's all fine and well, but the unfortunate truth is that DO's applying to allopathic residencies can run into problems. I think it's stupid. However, to kid yourself into thinking you won't have any problems because of your DO is just naive. I agree that DO's make wonderful healthcare providers, but the OP's SO is thinking about EM which has become increasingly competitive. As someone who personally knows two different residency program directors (neither in EM, sorry tinkerchick!), as well as few admissions committee members for med schools, the bias is definitely out there against the DO's. Hopefully it will go away, but I wouldn't hold my breath anytime soon. Can't we all just get along? 🙂

-X

I am right there with ya! I just don't understand why the bias is out there. 😎 Does it hang around because in years past DOs main did a internship and then hoped right into treating pts?? I don't know what the stats are but I'd guess that most DOs go for a typical 3+ year residency.

And no matter what your situation it can't be worse than being a caribbean FMG......... trust me on that one! LOL!