Interesting question

[kat13]

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In one of my interviews I was asked this question and I was reminded of it after reading all of the 'MDs Vs. DOs' threads. The question was "Do you think that osteopathic medicine finds people or do you think a certain type of person finds osteopathic medicine?"

I feel that, although there is absolutely no difference in the way MDs and DOs are allowed to practice, the type of people that choose osteopathic medicine are a reflecetion of the unique philosophy that DOs maintain. Essentially I think it is a little of both and that osteopathic medicine attracts a certain group of helath care-oriented people, and that during my varied encounters in health care I have been able to tell (for the most part) the difference between DOs and MDs; not necessarily even in the way they practice, but just in the way they come across.

Anyways....any thoughts?

 

[supergirl71720]

Kat13,
That is an awesome question and I loved your thoughts on the topic. I disagree with Sharky....I don't believe that most DO's end up as such because they could not become an MD. I believe those are the exception to the rule, and should be prohibited from ever being a doctor with an attitude like that! I truly feel that osteopathic medicine would not be as successful as it is if most people in the field disregarded the philosopshy once they gained the right to sign prescriptions. So anyways, call me an idealist, but I believe there is something very unique and special in most DO's, "in the way they come across."
Best of luck to you, Kat13, in your future endeavors. We need more like you in the field.

 

[Fenrezz]

Originally posted by supergirl71720
I disagree with Sharky....I don't believe that most DO's end up as such because they could not become an MD. I believe those are the exception to the rule, and should be prohibited from ever being a doctor with an attitude like that!

With all due respect, this is all nonsense. Many people apply to osteopathic school because they want to learn OMT. But the truth is many (and I believe the majority) go to D.O. school because they just want to be doctors, unconcerned whether it be MD or DO. There are enough students in DO schools who are there because they couldn't get into an MD school to justify Sharkey's statement. In the end, we'll never know because most people won't openly admit it. By the way, your standards for deciding who should be banned from practicing medicine makes me glad you're not making any of the decisions.

I truly feel that osteopathic medicine would not be as successful as it is if most people in the field disregarded the philosopshy once they gained the right to sign prescriptions.

Actually, most people do disregard the philosophy once they are practacing, and the profession is doing just fine. I've heard statistics thrown about that between 5% and 10% of osteopaths actually perform OMT, but I can't quote any source.

So anyways, call me an idealist, but I believe there is something very unique and special in most DO's, "in the way they come across."

There's nothing wrong with believing that, but for the most part it's not true, although it sounds great in an interview, and I highly recommend using it. 😉 However these kinds of statements make us sound just as arrogant as some of the DO-bashing MD students.

As I've said before, the "osteopathic philosophy" doesn't set us apart from MD's because enough MD's think holistically, and many DO's practice medicine "allopathically".

 

[lizzied2003]

I just wrote a great response and wasn't logged in. Hope i can recreate my thoughts Kat.

I am currently deciding where to apply. I do not have a 'calling' to one progam versus the other. I will base my decision on my family situation and who would like to give me an opportunity. Being an non-trad I will tell you outright that I believe the DO schools hold more value toward life experience than Allo programs.

I can understand if a person is born of 3 generations of MD's why it would be expected that he/she also seek MD (might also be easier to get accepted). I would like to same the same expectation would be set for multigenerational DO's in the future.

I am also a mid-level practitioner in a busy hospitalist group. We have about 10 doctors. One ivy leaguer (yale), 3 URM's MD's, 3 DO's, 1 older non tad MD, and 3 run of the mill average MD's. All of them practice differently because they are different people.

I have bore witness to the benefit of OMT very recently. I will tell you that this DO did what no opiate could ever do. And it was also pretty good because we continued to care for the patient from a medical perspective and billed and the doc actually billed as an OMT consult. I can not stress enough that this patient who had a traumatic fall benefited immensely.

I can also say that the DO's and older Doc tend to be more nuturing. I work as a house officer so i function as the resident (or grunt). We are non teaching. I am dependent on everyone in my group to respond when I need them. While I do much independently (including supervising codes, intubating, critical thinking, and just hanging around waiting for labs) I will also not hesitate to call them if I feel concern at all. It is wonderful when after a particular incident if they provide some good education. I have seen both groups do this.

Lastly, I think that the kind of person you are is reflective of how you will perform as a doctor regardless of what degree you hold.