If COMLEX is changed, what will happen to DO school Curriculum

[Awesome Sauceome]

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This is obviously completely hypothetical and I am aware that no one know the answer. I am just trying to see from current students what the mindset of their school is on this question. More or less to burn time while I am at work heh.

With the GME merger happening, IF (obviously a huge IF) the COMLEX is phased out to the point that all DO students take the USMLE but then a supplemental OMT section (so basically a baby COMLEX test), do you think current curriculum would change much at most DO schools? Or do you think the current setup that most schools have would be fine for whatever test the students have to take. Obviously a massive majority of students would do well on this hypothetical supplemental test, but would there have to be much internal restructuring in order to accommodate to any type of required USMLE test? Are schools even thinking about this? Perhaps I am just one random guy thinking about it heh?

Again, not trying to get any type of real answer, just wasting some time and seeing where people/schools are at on the subject.

 

[Elevencents]

Comlex produces far too much money to be going away anytime soon.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Comlex produces far too much money to be going away anytime soon.

Sure, which I would definitely expect the supplemental test to still give them a good chunk of change. Its all hypothetical here.

 

[Gatorman177]

Based on what I've gathered, the curriculum of DO schools is already VERY similar if not identical to MD schools. My friend goes to university of Florida and his curriculum is set up just like mine will be at VCOM va. With the exception of omm of course. Both schools have an 8 block system for the first two years. Separated identically. Obviously this is a sample size of 2 but still interesting. So I don't think changing the boards would matter.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Based on what I've gathered, the curriculum of DO schools is already VERY similar if not identical to MD schools. My friend goes to university of Florida and his curriculum is set up just like mine will be at VCOM va. With the exception of omm of course. Both schools have an 8 block system for the first two years. Separated identically. Obviously this is a sample size of 2 but still interesting. So I don't think changing the boards would matter.

Well thats cool to hear! Thanks for sharing.

 

[scummie]

I agree with the other poster too. I have friends that go to MD schools and our curriculums have pretty much been the same obviously with the exception of OPP. They had neurology rotations third year, we had geriatrics rotations instead. Will that radically change the course of the future? Probably not.

I think where most change would happen if things did go to a hypothetical unified USMLE with a supplemental OPP test is that schools that have had traditionally less hours in that area will have to increase them. By making a separate OMT exam, I think OPP departments are going to have to wear brown pants and realize the entire class will be compared to a national standard. Hopefully we will have less personal anecdotes or "research" lecture questions and will be taught more to what you'll see on the boards. On the other hand, many of these OMT professors write the OMT-related questions to the COMLEX. I'm all for standardization of OMT. When I studied for Step 1 and took it, there were OPP questions I had no idea what they were talking about. By having us adhere to the same objectives and principles for learning OMT, I think we will all be better off.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

It's only a matter of time until the COMLEX disappears. I seriously doubt these "osteopathically focused" residencies will exist for a long time anyway. It's in the best interest of most residencies to accept US MD students to pump their prestige. I also doubt the curriculum will change at COMs. What they will have to do is stop accepting applicants that don't deserve to be in medical school (e.g. GPA <3.0, MCAT <23).

 

[sylvanthus]

If we get to the point that COMLEX becomes an osteopathic portion of the USMLE, it is only a matter of time before OMM is eliminated entirely from board exams.

 

[iatureversi]

think so,Obviously this is a sample size of 2 but still interesting. So I don't think changing the boards would matter.thanks

 

[scoKraz4]

Getting rid of COMLEX would also mean getting rid of OMM on the boards, right? Because if MD and DO took same test and they don't learn OMM then it couldn't be. I mean, I would be 100% for that.

 

[verynice]

Ahhhh ever so close to the prestiged "MD" we approach.. 😉

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Getting rid of COMLEX would also mean getting rid of OMM on the boards, right? Because if MD and DO took same test and they don't learn OMM then it couldn't be. I mean, I would be 100% for that.

Well see I am not into that, because then DO really is gone essentially. I do think that is bad. But I think there can be a healthy middle ground where all med students take the same unified exam that is the same across the board regardless of MD and DO. This is the test that will be used to make sure you have obviously gained mastery of the material, but would be used for residencies. However, then for DOs they should definitely have to take a separate portion specifically for OMM. Because if people claim that a majority of what DOs and MDs learn is the same through school, why not have it required that they compete on the same test? and go for the same residencies? But as a requirement from graduation from a DO school and/or as a requirement to go into osteopathically focused DO programs, take a supplemental test that caters specifically to osteopathic medicine. Again the idea is middle ground. I think if DOs completely give in to everything then they truly do lose any semblance of uniqueness. So I think DOs should in fact stand firm on some issues. But standing firm to the point of the threat of extinction?... you start losing me heh.

 

[Petypet]

Well see I am not into that, because then DO really is gone essentially. I do think that is bad. But I think there can be a healthy middle ground where all med students take the same unified exam that is the same across the board regardless of MD and DO. This is the test that will be used to make sure you have obviously gained mastery of the material, but would be used for residencies. However, then for DOs they should definitely have to take a separate portion specifically for OMM. Because if people claim that a majority of what DOs and MDs learn is the same through school, why not have it required that they compete on the same test? and go for the same residencies? But as a requirement from graduation from a DO school and/or as a requirement to go into osteopathically focused DO programs, take a supplemental test that caters specifically to osteopathic medicine. Again the idea is middle ground. I think if DOs completely give in to everything then they truly do lose any semblance of uniqueness. So I think DOs should in fact stand firm on some issues. But standing firm to the point of the threat of extinction?... you start losing me heh.

Make an osteopathic board exam or fellowship if you are interested in it. I have no intentions on using it, why should I have to get recertified in it? If you want to practice manipulation, you need to get certified in order to bill for it. If you want to do a DO residency you need to be certified for it. The amount of OMT on the comlex is a joke and has no correlation to what it is actually like practicing manipulation. Having written exams for something that is 90% theoretical and is 100% practical is silly, unnecessary, and frankly just a money maker for someone.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Make an osteopathic board exam or fellowship if you are interested in it. I have no intentions on using it, why should I have to get recertified in it? If you want to practice manipulation, you need to get certified in order to bill for it. If you want to do a DO residency you need to be certified for it. The amount of OMT on the comlex is a joke and has no correlation to what it is actually like practicing manipulation. Having written exams for something that is 90% theoretical and is 100% practical is silly, unnecessary, and frankly just a money maker for someone.

But it is exactly because of money that I would assume that in some form or fashion it would always be there. So in order to find a middle ground and make the AOA happy, it would seem like the only real option yea?

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Make an osteopathic board exam or fellowship if you are interested in it. I have no intentions on using it, why should I have to get recertified in it? If you want to practice manipulation, you need to get certified in order to bill for it. If you want to do a DO residency you need to be certified for it. The amount of OMT on the comlex is a joke and has no correlation to what it is actually like practicing manipulation. Having written exams for something that is 90% theoretical and is 100% practical is silly, unnecessary, and frankly just a money maker for someone.

Is there anything preventing from making the test hands on?

 

[Petypet]

But it is exactly because of money that I would assume that in some form or fashion it would always be there. So in order to find a middle ground and make the AOA happy, it would seem like the only real option yea?

I don't have a logical answer for this. I hope its not always there as the Comlex is ridiculous and is not based on science. I would like to think society will enforce evidence-based medicine but who knows.

Is there anything preventing from making the test hands on?

Other than a logistic headache, no. DOs take Comlex level 2 CK and CS and there we do some OMT. Also some specialities, ie FM, get recert every 10 years. My idea is a pipe dream and not a reality unfortunately.