Level of difficulty to obtain specialty residency: and why?

[toothless rufus]

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Its obviously not news, but I have noted in osteopathic schools a very strongly directed intent towards the goal of producing primary care physicians, including PC mentors, with (apparently) no option of specialty mentors, and a high level of PC clinical requirements.

I do realize that one may "buck the trend" and specialize in whatever one wishes; but by how much does this PC oriented system increase the already uphill battle to specialize, as I am guessing it must to some degree? Are there any deficits in osteopathic UG medical training that may be inherent when following this focused approach, leading perhaps to less success at procurring the board scores necessary to obtain a specialty residency?

And as a general aside: Why does osteopathic medicine have such a "hell bent on primary care" thing anyway? Is it being used mainly as a way to distinguish the profession's identity? Like a "That's what we D.O.!" sort of thing? It seems to me that the AOA would almost prefer to produce only PC doc's.

Was this the original intention behind osteopathic medicine's formation?

Maybe I am concerned for nothing, but I do not want to have my options limited by an education guided by a strangely self-imposed philosophy, whatever the direction in medicine I choose to pursue. I don't see why it is necessary that there should be this PC umbrella over osteopathy, as it is a strong approach to medicine in general.

Also, I do not regard PC as any less deserving than any other field.

(Disclaimer: I readily admit that I am a premed who knows nothing about which I am speaking)

 

[PlasticMan]

Some D.O. schools graduate as many specialists as the average M.D. school. PCOM and NYCOM have 37% and 45% primary care graduates respectively. Not all D.O. schools are super focused on primary care; at NYCOM they say we are, yet we have 12 weeks surgery rotations and only 6 weeks family practice rotations.

 

[AustinFinklea]

Its obviously not news, but I have noted in osteopathic schools a very strongly directed intent towards the goal of producing primary care physicians, including PC mentors, with (apparently) no option of specialty mentors, and a high level of PC clinical requirements.

I do realize that one may "buck the trend" and specialize in whatever one wishes; but by how much does this PC oriented system increase the already uphill battle to specialize, as I am guessing it must to some degree? Are there any deficits in osteopathic UG medical training that may be inherent when following this focused approach, leading perhaps to less success at procurring the board scores necessary to obtain a specialty residency?

And as a general aside: Why does osteopathic medicine have such a "hell bent on primary care" thing anyway? Is it being used mainly as a way to distinguish the profession's identity? Like a "That's what we D.O.!" sort of thing? It seems to me that the AOA would almost prefer to produce only PC doc's.

Was this the original intention behind its formation?

Maybe I am concerned for nothing, but I do not want to have my options limited by an education guided by a strangely self-imposed philosophy, whatever the direction in medicine I choose to pursue. I don't see why it is necessary that there should be this PC umbrella over osteopathy, as it is a strong approach to medicine in general.

Also, I do not regard PC as any less deserving than any other field.

(Disclaimer: I readily admit that I am a premed who knows nothing about which I am speaking)

I echo what plastic man said. Go visit the following:

http://opportunities.osteopathic.or...60e854102-495B9DBB-D5C5-4781-586BEE26F8E8D127

You will see how many types of specialty paths the DO can follow: and that is just within the AOA, not to mention the many, many more Allo residencies.... Good luck

 

[toothless rufus]

Yes, I do realize that there are indeed AOA specialty residencies, and it is possible to get those or allopathic ones...thank you for the link! 🙂

 

[Dr.Inviz]

I'm fairly interested in Interventional Radiology, sounds like I'll have to go to Tulsa, OK if I went that route ... there's only 1 residency location for IR under DO residencies 🙁 😱 😱

 

[MJB]

How much have you researched the origins of Osteopathic Medicine?

 

[Kuba]

if you read The DOs you would see that osteopathic medicine is deeply rooted in primary care. Also, there is a shortage of PC docs, so obviously the organization and schools weill push or primary care. I think allo schools are pushing PC too now tho to a lesser degree because of the shortage.

 

[Dr.Inviz]

I agree, DOs are deeply rooted in PC, so it does imply a great number of PC residencies. However, I do have an interest in specializing as well. I havent throroughly decided the path I will take, as I have another 4.5 years to decide if I get into med school for 2007.