Is it more difficult to open a clinic as a DO?

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I mean, would people be as inclined to walk into your office seeing you are a DO and not the MD they're accustomed to? In other words, would business be as good?

 

[DOwnage]

I think you're giving the general populace a little too much credit in understanding the differences between medical degrees. To most people, white coat = doctor, even though the person could be an NP or a PA.

You're asking for a broad generalization, and there is no solid factual source that this information can be acquired. So, I am speculating that you will not have problems getting patients as a DO. Everybody's got their own secondhand stories: Some people prefer DO's, others won't bother seeing them, others flat out don't know/care. Due to the upcoming growth of demand in health care, I doubt you'll have a problem getting patients.

 

[Infinity6]

I think you're giving the general populace a little too much credit in understanding the differences between medical degrees. To most people, white coat = doctor, even though the person could be an NP or a PA.

Completely second that.

 

[JaggerPlate]

No.

 

[group_theory]

There is such a huge shortage of doctors, and especially doctors that take Medicare/Medicaid (or the HMO associated with them) - people will be traveling for miles to have you as their doctor.

There's also a shortage of specialists too.

Besides, the average adult in the U.S. reads between the 8th and 9th grade reading levels. They're not going to know the difference between MD, MBBS, MBBCh, DO, etc. Heck, a lot of people think that DCs are physicians who went to medical schools.

 

[Skippygonenuts]

dude i was doing a phlebotomy rotation and people were coming in calling me doctor!

The only people that may view DOs as bad are the arrogant pre-allos...the post-allos (yes, i said post-allos) have gained the respect for DOs and finally realize that we are equals.

Its the premies man...they kill me softly..

 

[judasreznor]

No.

 

[cbrons]

You will have a hard time trying to treat all of the patients who come knocking at your door, especially in this area that's for sure. They had in the paper the other day that a new doctor would be opening a practice (MGBHS) and every schmuck in the town was talking about it everywhere. Yeah she happened to be a DO... so people are just looking for care, at least where I'm from.

But on a side note, you could basically give Bozo a stethoscope and they'd call him Dr.

 

[Daedra22]

DO = MD

DO = MD

DO = MD

DO = MD

... at all times ^.^

 

[WildEMDoc]

DO = MD

DO = MD

DO = MD

DO = MD

... at all times ^.^

I like this proof:

DO = Doctor
MD = Doctor

Therefore...

MD = DO by the transitive property of equality 😎

 

[VCU07]

It does not matter what degree you earn b/c,.as already stated, DO=MD. What does matter is the quality of care you provide. Word of mouth is a great marketing tool.

 

[eablackwell]

I agree with the person who said the general populace doesn't know the difference.

For example, I took my mother to her GI doc a couple days ago. She kept going on about how I should shadow her MD. I said, what, your GI doctor? And she says, "No, he's a GI, but I go to this other person who is an MD."

 

[Skippygonenuts]

I agree with the person who said the general populace doesn't know the difference.

For example, I took my mother to her GI doc a couple days ago. She kept going on about how I should shadow her MD. I said, what, your GI doctor? And she says, "No, he's a GI, but I go to this other person who is an MD."

 

[judasreznor]

I agree with the person who said the general populace doesn't know the difference.

For example, I took my mother to her GI doc a couple days ago. She kept going on about how I should shadow her MD. I said, what, your GI doctor? And she says, "No, he's a GI, but I go to this other person who is an MD."

People just want to be taken care of in almost every circumstance. Your degree, your grades, where you went to school, or your where you did your residency doesn't mean anything at all to the vast majority of people you will treat. This is an excellent example.

 

[calvinhobbes]

I think you're giving the general populace a little too much credit in understanding the differences between medical degrees. To most people, white coat = doctor, even though the person could be an NP or a PA.

You're asking for a broad generalization, and there is no solid factual source that this information can be acquired. So, I am speculating that you will not have problems getting patients as a DO. Everybody's got their own secondhand stories: Some people prefer DO's, others won't bother seeing them, others flat out don't know/care. Due to the upcoming growth of demand in health care, I doubt you'll have a problem getting patients.

This!

Trust me, if you're a ****ty doctor, EVERYONE will know about it - regardless if you're an MD or a DO.

If you're an amazing doctor -- and trust me, patients do have word of mouth -- then you'll be set.

Plus, it never hurts just writing on your clinic "Dermatology Associates" or whatever, it's not like you have to show your full name and license on the front of your clinic.

Also, the way I like to think of it is that by explaining to your patients that you chose this philosophy of medicine, your patients will like you more -- you're both medically knowledgable AND treat the whole person (bla bla bla jargon bla bla bla, you get my point).

 

[Manipulate]

My current doctor, who is a DO, practices with two other doctors that are MDs. The sign on his practice does not have the suffix designation of DO or MD on it, rather it just states Doctor XYZ, ABC, and 123. I think most of the other guys on this post are right, most people don't know the difference and don't care as long as good care is provided. So just hang a sign that states "Doctor XYZ" with no DO or MD behind it and you're ready for business 😀

 

[judasreznor]

So just hang a sign that states "Doctor XYZ" with no DO or MD behind it and you're ready for business 😀

While there is certainly no problem doing that, I think the point about good care made earlier indicates that even if you did put a sign up with the D.O. designation, few would notice or care. Sorry to quibble. I'm being argumentative today for some reason. 😀

 

[Isoprop]

According to my sources, most of the patients you see come from referrals or recommendations. If you are good doctor, DO or MD, you will get the respect of other doctors, DO or MD, and recommended by your patients.

 

[ScottMontgomery]

This!

Trust me, if you're a ****ty doctor, EVERYONE will know about it - regardless if you're an MD or a DO.

If you're an amazing doctor -- and trust me, patients do have word of mouth -- then you'll be set.

Plus, it never hurts just writing on your clinic "Dermatology Associates" or whatever, it's not like you have to show your full name and license on the front of your clinic.

Also, the way I like to think of it is that by explaining to your patients that you chose this philosophy of medicine, your patients will like you more -- you're both medically knowledgable AND treat the whole person (bla bla bla jargon bla bla bla, you get my point).

I couldn't agree with your first statement more. When I was in school for automotive years ago, I will never remember what I learned in one of my business classes.

"If you do great work the customer may tell 1 or 2 people; if you do poor work that customer will tell 10 people."

A good reputation is earned, a bad one is given.

If you are good at what you do and take pride in your job, in the end a few "allos" might still always look down, but in the eyes of the patient, the best is the best. No questions asked.