I'm an OMS2 and have only shadowed, but having cumulatively spent weeks at both low-ranking MD and DO sites (always aiming high!
), I really don't see a difference between the two, save for (1) DO residencies pay poorly and (2) the MD sites have a
lot of non-native English speakers so it was frustrating trying to talk to some of them. Language aside, the FMGs didn't have a lot of cultural competency either. Obviously they're still adapting to life in the US, it's not their fault, but imagine having to explain things like, what rap music is, who Mulder and Sculley are, etc. It would slow things down, and it really impeded establishing that theraptuic patient/doctor connection. Sorry if any of that sounds hokey or racist.
In terms of the overall residency experience, rural is rural, so I didn't really see the difference Bumbletown DO Community Site and Bumbletown MD Community Site.
Furthermore, I find that in a big city, a few well known universities get all the interesting pathology. The other places (the lowest tier MD sites) take what's left over. I'd guess that's the same for all specialties. Some cities are pretty damn crowded in terms of medical training. What do you all think?
I emailed hospitals in the vicinity of where I might live in the future (PA, CO and NY) and they said pretty repeated Whopper's observation. They want someone who's bc/be. As far as they are concerned, if you did an ACGME/AOA residency in these United States, you have met the minimum requirements.
I've also never heard of a state board not issuing a license because they didn't think your residency was good enough, if that's what you were suggesting. I would imagine they would trust the people in charge of accrediting residencies to do that.
In summary, my opinion is that there is some overlap between ACGME and AOA sites, although the DO sites would share the bottom of the pile. Still, if you research a place and like it, regardless if it's DO or MD, then go for it. If you don't care about academics, then why care about labels?
Good luck and let us know how what you decide!