IM Subspecialty With DO Degree

[Hottpants89]

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I have been told recently that if I want to go into an IM subspecialty, like infectious disease, then I should go with an MD degree.

But with a DO degree, I can apply to both osteopathic and allopathic residencies, so that seems like it would give me a better chance to get what I want than with an MD degree where I would be limited to allopathic residencies. Which is right?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

If you want to do a fellowship then you should do an allopathic residency. However that does not mean being a DO will harm you. There are plenty of DO's in IM sub-specialties.

 

[Hottpants89]

If you want to do a fellowship then you should do an allopathic residency. However that does not mean being a DO will harm you. There are plenty of DO's in IM sub-specialties.

Thanks. Are there specific schools or states that are better for getting a residency like that?

 

[taylormade2006]

There are also some IM subspecialties offered through DO programs. I think LECOM has a GI fellowship.

 

[Instatewaiter]

If you want to go into an IM subspecialty you definitely should go to an allopathic residency. If you want a competitive one, you are better served at an MD school because that will give you better options for IM.

As it stands now, you apply early in your 2nd year of IM. During intern year you have no time to do anything but your required rotations. At that point you have basically the exact same application for fellowship so where you go matters with regard to your fellowship option.