I'm interested in REI, but loaded with questions!

[BrokenHourglass]

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Hello all,
I'm applying to medical schools right now, and I'll probably end up attending a DO medical school. Is it harder for a DO to obtain an OB/GYN residency? I imagine I'd have to take the USMLE and rock it, but what are competitive scores? How competitive is it to obtain a fellowship for REI?
Lastly... I'm a male... and whenever I discuss my interest in becoming an REI with my female friends... they're extremely supportive. When I tell them it requires going through OB/GYN, I always get laughed at. Is there really such a strong stigma against male OB/GYNs? While I honestly have a strong interest in REI stemming from my own health issues, I don't really have an interest in working the next 30+ years of my life as an OB/GYN.

Basically... my strongest interest in medicine is REI, but should I pursue another interest in medicine like surgery if it's extremely difficult to become an REI? And are males at a significant disadvantage in becoming one?

Thanks everyone in advance for your time.

 

[wannabeOBGYN]

Hello all,
I'm applying to medical schools right now, and I'll probably end up attending a DO medical school. Is it harder for a DO to obtain an OB/GYN residency? I imagine I'd have to take the USMLE and rock it, but what are competitive scores? How competitive is it to obtain a fellowship for REI?
Lastly... I'm a male... and whenever I discuss my interest in becoming an REI with my female friends... they're extremely supportive. When I tell them it requires going through OB/GYN, I always get laughed at. Is there really such a strong stigma against male OB/GYNs? While I honestly have a strong interest in REI stemming from my own health issues, I don't really have an interest in working the next 30+ years of my life as an OB/GYN.

Basically... my strongest interest in medicine is REI, but should I pursue another interest in medicine like surgery if it's extremely difficult to become an REI? And are males at a significant disadvantage in becoming one?

Thanks everyone in advance for your time.

Why don't you worry about getting into medical school first and then see what, if anything else, interests you? Fellowship is a LOOONG way away for you.

 

[HumbleMD]

Why don't you worry about getting into medical school first and then see what, if anything else, interests you? Fellowship is a LOOONG way away for you.

👍

I was going to be a family physician in an isolated area. Now I'm looking to become an academic OB-GYN with a penchant for surgery. Things change. OP, don't worry about this quite yet.

To answer your question though, no, as far as residency is concerned, men are strongly encouraged and supported to enter the field. In practice, many women wouldn't wanted to go to a guy for their annual pap and pelvic, but as a specialist you wouldn't be doing that anyway.

OB-GYN hadn't used to be, but is becoming more and more competitive. It is usually fairly DO friendly, but I have no idea how the field will look in the *8 years* when you apply for a fellowship.

In medical school, keep an open mind, consider OB-GYN as well as medicine and surgery, and frankly every other field. You may find yourself surprised.

But first, get into medical school 😉

 

[Colonsay]

I think if you can possibly get into a MD program, it would help you a lot with your long-term goals. While it's certainly possible to match into an Ob-Gyn residency as an osteopath, it's going to be much easier to match at a university program with an MD, which would, in turn, make it easier to get a fellowship position. In general, I think you will have more options with an MD no matter what field you choose. If you think you want to go on to fellowship, I would consider reapplying next year and matriculating at an allopathic program rather than committing to a DO degree.

 

[dmuryan]

Or do an REI fellowship accredited with the AOA. Or do an REI fellowship affiliated with military, which tend to be even more DO friendly. I'm a DO in Texas PGY4 and the REI here was hoping I would pursue REI fellowship to join his practice.