Looking into D.O. schools, need some info please :)

[proudtobeaTxAg]

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O.K., so here is my dilemma:
I am graduating in December '06 from Texas A&M University (Whoop!) and currently taking the MCAT in 3 days and applying to med schools in May/June. I was advised by my pre-med advisor to check into D.O. schools out of state along with instate (Texas) schools. I have been trying to find more information on the differences between D.O. and M.D. and having a hard time. Basically, I just want to end up in the E.R. when all is said and done, but I don't know if D.O. school is going to lessen my chances of getting an E.R. residency. So can any of you much more knowledgeable future/current doctors give me info on differences between D.O. and M.D and also anything about D.O.'s in the E.R.? Thanks ya'll, I really appreciate all the help!

 

[mshheaddoc]

Ok ... if you search in the pre-osteo forum - click search on the tool bar and type in "MD DO" you will come up with many threads.

There is little difference in DO and MD schools other than the fact that many DO schools concentrate on Primary Care clerkships and DO's learn osteopathic manipulation. Some will dispute the curriculum differences (as in the fact that OMT (osteopathic manipulation) takes away from your micro/pathology/biochem/anatomy, while others state that its just another class. Each school will have its strengths and weaknesses whether DO/MD.

Although many DO's statistically go into primary care, its not SOLEY what they do. There are DO's in almost every field that is out there. So the answer to you question (albeit the shore answer) is that DO = MD. DO's also have their own set of "residencies" which only DO's can apply too. Many are extremely competitive. As you are interested in EM there are a few good programs in the west/southwest/midwest in EM that many DO's are currently residents in.

Do some more research but I wouldn't rule out the DO schools. Phrasing the question as you did is a question that is asked on here alot. I suggest you look in the pre-osteo forum and read the FAQ

 

[DeLaughterDO]

O.K., so here is my dilemma:
I am graduating in December '06 from Texas A&M University (Whoop!) and currently taking the MCAT in 3 days and applying to med schools in May/June. I was advised by my pre-med advisor to check into D.O. schools out of state along with instate (Texas) schools. I have been trying to find more information on the differences between D.O. and M.D. and having a hard time. Basically, I just want to end up in the E.R. when all is said and done, but I don't know if D.O. school is going to lessen my chances of getting an E.R. residency. So can any of you much more knowledgeable future/current doctors give me info on differences between D.O. and M.D and also anything about D.O.'s in the E.R.? Thanks ya'll, I really appreciate all the help!

If you really want to leave texas, go ahead and look at out of state schools. Just remember that you will be paying at least 3 times the amount of tuition as you will at the Texas schools. (I'm assuming you are a Tx resident)

Just think hard about it. There are some very good schools in Texas (I'm at TCOM) and they are some of the most affordable medical schools you can find.

As far as specializing in EM after you are through, you can definitely get into EM programs after graduating from a DO school. As mshheaddoc noted, we have AOA residencies that are only open to DO residents (there are 33 AOA EM residencies). We can also apply for and train at ACGME EM residencies - all over the country, not just in the south, west and midwest. The northeast is very DO friendly in most cases.

Best of luck - and don't worry about DO or MD schools. Just go where you feel most comfortable with the students, faculty, and facilities. All should be well.

 

[DarkWingDuck]

If you really want to leave texas, go ahead and look at out of state schools. Just remember that you will be paying at least 3 times the amount of tuition as you will at the Texas schools. (I'm assuming you are a Tx resident)

Just think hard about it. There are some very good schools in Texas (I'm at TCOM) and they are some of the most affordable medical schools you can find.

As far as specializing in EM after you are through, you can definitely get into EM programs after graduating from a DO school. As mshheaddoc noted, we have AOA residencies that are only open to DO residents (there are 33 AOA EM residencies). We can also apply for and train at ACGME EM residencies - all over the country, not just in the south, west and midwest. The northeast is very DO friendly in most cases.

Best of luck - and don't worry about DO or MD schools. Just go where you feel most comfortable with the students, faculty, and facilities. All should be well.

Any rough idea about the actual # of AOA residency spots?

 

[mshheaddoc]

Feel free to browse ... http://opportunities.aoa-net.org/search/search.cfm?searchType=1&CFID=790360&CFTOKEN=58440047

You'll be quite surprised at the number of positions available.

 

[mshheaddoc]

At the end of 2003, the AOA had 746 approved internship and residency programs, for a combined total of 7567 approved internship and residency positions. Out of those 746 internship and residency programs, however, the AOA noted a compliance rate of 45% for TIVRA reports.

The AOA had 782 approved internship and residency programs in 2004, representing a total of 7817 approved positions. For that year, the AOA noted a compliance rate of 59% for the required TIVRA reports.

In 2005, the AOA had 843 approved internship and residency programs, for a total of 8370 positions. For the 843 programs approved, the division of postdoctoral training recorded a TIVRA compliance rate of 93%.

http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/106/2/59

 

[nub]

http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/106/2/59

Go to the OPSA office join the A&M pre-med club and then ask to shadow the DO ER physicians at the hospital in college station (I can't remember the name but it is the one off Rock Prairie Rd). He is the current president of the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association and a great educator. This will serve a few purposes...get ER experience, get you a rec letter, and introduce you to a osteopathic medicine.

Good Luck

 

[OSUdoc08]

O.K., so here is my dilemma:
I am graduating in December '06 from Texas A&M University (Whoop!) and currently taking the MCAT in 3 days and applying to med schools in May/June. I was advised by my pre-med advisor to check into D.O. schools out of state along with instate (Texas) schools. I have been trying to find more information on the differences between D.O. and M.D. and having a hard time. Basically, I just want to end up in the E.R. when all is said and done, but I don't know if D.O. school is going to lessen my chances of getting an E.R. residency. So can any of you much more knowledgeable future/current doctors give me info on differences between D.O. and M.D and also anything about D.O.'s in the E.R.? Thanks ya'll, I really appreciate all the help!

Going to DO school increases your chances of DO residency. You can apply to DO and MD residencies.

P.S. Every MD residency in Texas has DO's, with DO program directors or attendings at all programs.

P.S.S. TCOM is harder to get into than many MD programs. Apply to several D.O. schools. I am a Texas resident at OSU-COM and you can PM me for more info.

 

[DeLaughterDO]

Going to DO school increases your chances of DO residency. You can apply to DO and MD residencies.

P.S. Every MD residency in Texas has DO's, with DO program directors or attendings at all programs.

P.S.S. TCOM is harder to get into than many MD programs. Apply to several D.O. schools. I am a Texas resident at OSU-COM and you can PM me for more info.

This is merely the result of the combined Texas Medical and Dental School Application Service (TMDSAS). With the advent of "check box" applications, with a DO school thrown in there for good measure along with all the other great medical schools here in Texas, we get a lot of applications we might not get otherwise. Of course, being a public school (with the attendant lower tuition) helps as well! 🙂

TCOM is a very good school - you will have all the opportunities you could hope for here, as long as you do the legwork and make the most out of your time here. Medical school is probably more about what you put into it than what they provide for you. If you want to learn medicine, you will learn the same medicine at Harvard or any lowly state institution.

'nuf said.

jd

PS - sorry for dragging this post back up from the dead. I just wanted to clarify this one point. Back to the grave with you...