If MD's and DO's are same in practice, why is shadowing a DO necessary?

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

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For some DO schools

 

[radian313]

For some DO schools

To solidify the notion that you are interested in Osteopathic practice principles and have seen it in practice to evidence your interest, that you not just using a cookie cutter definition of "treating the patient holistically by way of whole body approach".

 

[Thor123422]

I shadowed 3 D.O. and 3 M.D. in my quest for acceptance.

There was a very noticeable difference in the way the D.O. interacted with patients and the way M.D. interacted, and it was reflected strongly in the trust patients put in the physician.

I think it's important because they want to make sure you are actually interested in D.O. for the sake of D.O., and not just as a back up for if you don't get into M.D. schools. By shadowing you give evidence that you think they are worth your time as more than just a back-up.

 

[YayPudding]

I shadowed a DO working in the SICU of a major NYC MD hospital. She was the only physician to go bedside to bedside trying to communicate with patients, listening to heart and lung sounds and spending a lot of time with families. So there may be something to shadowing a DO over an MD particularly if you are applying DO.

 

[workaholic181]

For some DO schools

There may be some differences on occasion in terms of how a DO interacts with a pt vs an MD, but it's unwise to paint both with a wide brush.

For me, getting the opportunity to actually see OMM was huge. And even shadowing the DOs who were in specalties that did not readily lend themselves to OMT sessions was really informative, as each stated they felt (and had been told by PDs) that they had a really great command of anatomy due to their OMM training.

 

[radian313]

Still waiting for this to become a MD vs DO thread.

 

[goilers]

Still waiting for this to become a MD vs DO thread.

Kind of feels like you're trying to steer it that way, bold move.


To actually stay on topic, I would agree that it helps paint the picture that you aren't only applying DO as a backup (regardless of how true that statement may or may not be for you), as was stated above. Going through the steps to contact and secure a DO shadowing/observing contact is extra work, and shows you're willing to at least dedicate time to your DO research outside from your MD application.

 

[radian313]

Kind of feels like you're trying to steer it that way, bold move.


To actually stay on topic, I would agree that it helps paint the picture that you aren't only applying DO as a backup (regardless of how true that statement may or may not be for you), as was stated above. Going through the steps to contact and secure a DO shadowing/observing contact is extra work, and shows you're willing to at least dedicate time to your DO research outside from your MD application.

Don't Assume.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Because the powers that be like to believe there is a difference. Just do it.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

A lot of the physicians that work in DO schools are either from the old guard or from the same mentality. They genuinely believe in a distinction and also think that it shows genuine interest to go out of your way to shadow a DO.

At my school you will see how even the students that are most involved with the school tend to be the type that do stupid things like an OMM fellowship and drink this kool-aid. The majority of those that have that drive to make money and practice are not going to waste their time being a full-time DO faculty. So it'll always be these "good boy" types that you need to convince to let you in the door.

 

[deleted831695]

Until the day "DO" becomes "MD,O", it makes sense that a DO school expects applicants to have shadowed a DO. Likewise, an MD school probably would expect applicants to have shadowed an MD, not all DOs (though that's pretty rare considering DOs are a minority).

And you might notice subtle things like the physician being more hands-on or having a different approach when it comes to patient care and/or bedside manners.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Until the day "DO" becomes "MD,O", it makes sense that a DO school expects applicants to have shadowed a DO. Likewise, an MD school probably would expect applicants to have shadowed an MD, not all DOs (though that's pretty rare considering DOs are a minority).

And you might notice subtle things like the physicianbeing more hands-on or having a different approach when it comes to patient care and/or bedside manners.

DO schools expect you to shadow a DO. MD schools like you to shadow a physician, there's no chip on their shoulder...

 

[68PGunner]

A lot of the physicians that work in DO schools are either from the old guard or from the same mentality. They genuinely believe in a distinction and also think that it shows genuine interest to go out of your way to shadow a DO.

At my school you will see how even the students that are most involved with the school tend to be the type that do stupid things like an OMM fellowship and drink this kool-aid. The majority of those that have that drive to make money and practice are not going to waste their time being a full-time DO faculty. So it'll always be these "good boy" types that you need to convince to let you in the door.

Brah... I am going to be honest here. What is the point of an OMM fellowship? Do you get extra money or reduced tuition?

 

[IslandStyle808]

Brah... I am going to be honest here. What is the point of an OMM fellowship? Do you get extra money or reduced tuition?

From what I have read long ago, usually at best you get a stipend for that year and in some cases a stipend and reduced tuition for 3rd and 4th year. I was a dumb@ss back then and thought it was a pretty sweat deal. Until someone showed me it really isn't because you still earn a far greater salary that one year as a new minted attending, rather than delaying that salary for the extra year of bone wizardry.

 

[68PGunner]

From what I have read long ago, usually at best you get a stipend for that year and in some cases a stipend and reduced tuition for 3rd and 4th year. I was a dumb@ss back then and thought it was a pretty sweat deal. Until someone showed me it really isn't because you still earn a far greater salary that one year as a new minted attending, rather than delaying that salary for the extra year of bone wizardry.

But does it improve my intravaginal HVLA technique?

 

[IslandStyle808]

But does it improve my intravaginal HVLA technique?

You might have to ask the OMM gurus on that one. While I will be busy trying to figure out how to spend that extra $250k. Loans or the ladies...

 

[Thor123422]

But does it improve my intravaginal HVLA technique?

Considering how low the A is, I'd say there's not much you can do to improve.