Major differences between DO and MD programs?

[nymbamd]

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What are the general differences between DO and MD programs? I know that this site has postings for both (and I've looked into them), but I was wondering what motivates one to apply/attend one over the other... And should I be looking into DO programs as well? Also, what are the better DO programs, and does this affect your professional opportunities outside of school? Thanks!

 

[Law2Doc]

What are the general differences between DO and MD programs? I know that this site has postings for both (and I've looked into them), but I was wondering what motivates one to apply/attend one over the other... And should I be looking into DO programs as well? Also, what are the better DO programs, and does this affect your professional opportunities outside of school? Thanks!

This kind of question invariably degenerates into one of those MD vs DO threads, so it's best not to go down this road. On the pre-osteo board there are a variety of discussions on what is DO, what is OMM and what is the osteopathic philosophy, which you may find helpful.

 

[DoctorMom78]

What are the general differences between DO and MD programs? I know that this site has postings for both (and I've looked into them), but I was wondering what motivates one to apply/attend one over the other... And should I be looking into DO programs as well? Also, what are the better DO programs, and does this affect your professional opportunities outside of school? Thanks!

Osteopathic medicine embraces a different philosophy than allopathic medicine does. It also incorporates manipulative techniques as an additional therapeutic tool. There is generally a greater emphasis on primary care medicine, but you can practice in any specialty you want. They are separate applications for both: AMCAS and AACOMAS. DOs have the same rights and privileges as MDs. Basically the difference is in the approach to medicine. DO schools also put more weight on ECs and less on the MCAT than MD schools. Therefore, the MCAT averages for osteopathic schools tend to be lower. In terms of the "better" DO programs, it will depend on who you ask. It is generally thought that the "better" schools are the older schools, but I feel that they all have their advantages and disadvantages and it really depends what you are looking for. I suggest reading about osteopathic medicine and seeing if it is something that you might be interested in. Below are a few sites that might be of interest to you. GOOD LUCK! 😀

http://www.aacom.org/
http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=ost_main

 

[DoctorMom78]

This kind of question invariably degenerates into one of those MD vs DO threads, so it's best not to go down this road. On the pre-osteo board there are a variety of discussions on what is DO, what is OMM and what is the osteopathic philosophy, which you may find helpful.

LOL! That is the first thought that I had when I read this thread. Let's keep our fingers crossed that it doesn't happen here. It does tend to get pretty nasty sometimes. 😀

 

[nymbamd]

Thanks for your insight guys! I'm not sure how to "stop" a posting from continuing, but if the overseer of this message board sees this message, feel free to end this post now! I was just curious about the FACTUAL differences between the two types, definitely NOT TRYING TO BEGIN ANY DEBATES ON THEIR MERITS!!!!

 

[DoctorMom78]

Thanks for your insight guys! I'm not sure how to "stop" a posting from continuing, but if the overseer of this message board sees this message, feel free to end this post now! I was just curious about the FACTUAL differences between the two types, definitely NOT TRYING TO BEGIN ANY DEBATES ON THEIR MERITS!!!!

LOL! Well, hopefully we can all be adults about this and not turn it into a war. Come on over to the pre-osteopathic forum and learn more. You are welcome for the info and good luck!😀

 

[Kateb4]

Agreed about the debates, so lets not make this a which is better thread. From what I understand, the education is the same, except you are required to take OMM at the DO schools. The residency opportunities are the same, and I know several DO's that have gotten into very competetive programs!

Having said that, the Allo programs are more competetive, and also much more numerous. And going to a DO school does not mean that you will have to practice the OMM.

I just figure that my best option is to apply to both, and pick the school that I like the best and can succeed at regardless of DO or MD.

 

[njbmd]

What are the general differences between DO and MD programs? I know that this site has postings for both (and I've looked into them), but I was wondering what motivates one to apply/attend one over the other... And should I be looking into DO programs as well? Also, what are the better DO programs, and does this affect your professional opportunities outside of school? Thanks!

The major difference between Osteopathic and Allopathic medical schools is the inclusion of OMM in the osteopathic curriculum. The professional organization for graduates of osteopathic medical schools is the AOA or American Osteopathic Association; the professional organization for graduates of allopathic medical schools is the AMA or American Medical Association. Membership in the AMA is open to osteopathic grads too.

In 2006, all allopathic residency programs are open to graduates of both osteopathic and allopathic medical schools. Osteopathic residencies are open only to graduates of osteopathic medical schools. Graduates of allopathic medical schools take USMLE for liscensure; graduates of osteopathic medical schools take COMLEX for liscensure. Some graduates of osteopathic medical schools elect to take both COMLEX and USMLE for entry into allopathic residency programs.

In 2006, you can potentially enter any specialty after graduation from osteopathic or allopathic medical school. That being said, your performance in medical school and on board exams is the major determinant of what your residency choics will be rather than the school that you graduate from. As the number of osteopathic medical graduates increases, there will be better representation in all residencies. This will come with time as the number of osteopathic schools has increased and the number of seats in those schools have increased faster than allopathic schools.

In 2006, you have two options into the practice of medicine, osteopathic and allopathic education. If you are serious about entering medical practice, you would be wise to apply to both types of schools to increase your chances of acceptance. Getting into medical school is not easy regardless of allopathic or osteopathic and getting more competive each year. It isn't a case of one is better than the other but of equals.

Good luck!

 

[Beau Geste]

very well said, njbmd.

 

[Lshapley]

Isn't there a difference between teaching hospitals at allopathic schools and osteopathic schools? I was doing some reseach, since I am considering applying to both types, and I noticed that all of the allopathic schools seem to be affiliated with a major teaching hospital. However, the osteopathic hospitals had clinics, rounds at community hospitals, and time spent at primary care physicians offices. Isn't this a significant difference? Why is this the case? Is it a result of the osteopathic focus on primary care vs. the allopathic tendency towards specialization and procedures? Anyone have any insight?

 

[awk]

I just did some researching and was very glad to see (at least at LECOOM) that they had all the possible intern programs available for graduate. From ortho surgery, neurology, to primary care...what more could you ask for? It seems as these two are becoming closer and closer every year and the only thing seperating them is the two letters.😀

 

[njbmd]

Isn't there a difference between teaching hospitals at allopathic schools and osteopathic schools? I was doing some reseach, since I am considering applying to both types, and I noticed that all of the allopathic schools seem to be affiliated with a major teaching hospital. However, the osteopathic hospitals had clinics, rounds at community hospitals, and time spent at primary care physicians offices. Isn't this a significant difference? Why is this the case? Is it a result of the osteopathic focus on primary care vs. the allopathic tendency towards specialization and procedures? Anyone have any insight?

Any hospital that has students of any kind is a "teaching" hospital. Hospitals associated with osteopathic medical schools are "teaching" hospitals.

Allopathic medical students spend the same amount of time in clinics, private physicians offices as osteopathic medical students. There are many allopathic medical schools that place emphasis on primary care and many allopathic medical schools have well-developed tracks in their primary care specialties such as University of Virginia (emphasis on rural medicine), Howard University College of Medicine (emphasis on primary care for the underserved), Virginia Commonwealth University (primary care of women) and others.

The tendancy toward specialization reflects the goals and desires of the individual medical students as opposed to the medical schools. Medical student interest in Family Medicine has been waning for US grads for the past three years in spite of federal incentives for folks to enter primary care especially geriatrics. This has very little to do with osteopathic or allopathic but with the interests of the students. Specialties such as General Surgery, Anesthesia and Radiology have seen a huge surge in medical student interest both allopathic and osteopathic with these specialties moving into the very competitive ranks.

 

[DoctorMom78]

Any hospital that has students of any kind is a "teaching" hospital. Hospitals associated with osteopathic medical schools are "teaching" hospitals.

Allopathic medical students spend the same amount of time in clinics, private physicians offices as osteopathic medical students. There are many allopathic medical schools that place emphasis on primary care and many allopathic medical schools have well-developed tracks in their primary care specialties such as University of Virginia (emphasis on rural medicine), Howard University College of Medicine (emphasis on primary care for the underserved), Virginia Commonwealth University (primary care of women) and others.

The tendancy toward specialization reflects the goals and desires of the individual medical students as opposed to the medical schools. Medical student interest in Family Medicine has been waning for US grads for the past three years in spite of federal incentives for folks to enter primary care especially geriatrics. This has very little to do with osteopathic or allopathic but with the interests of the students. Specialties such as General Surgery, Anesthesia and Radiology have seen a huge surge in medical student interest both allopathic and osteopathic with these specialties moving into the very competitive ranks.

Really? LOL! I defintely want to go into family medicine and have a particular fondness for geriatrics. Nice to know I won't be fighting over residencies. 😀

 

[slowpoke96z28]

what is OMM? did a search and found a funny cat video, but still no idea what OMM is.

 

[Taus]

http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=ost_omt

 

[slowpoke96z28]

thank you

 

[Law2Doc]

did a search and found a funny cat video

Sounds about right. j/k (from my allo perspective)

 

[lilnoelle]

Isn't there a difference between teaching hospitals at allopathic schools and osteopathic schools? I was doing some reseach, since I am considering applying to both types, and I noticed that all of the allopathic schools seem to be affiliated with a major teaching hospital. However, the osteopathic hospitals had clinics, rounds at community hospitals, and time spent at primary care physicians offices. Isn't this a significant difference? Why is this the case? Is it a result of the osteopathic focus on primary care vs. the allopathic tendency towards specialization and procedures? Anyone have any insight?

I can't say for any certainty but I think most osteopathic med schools do not have a hospital directly associated with them, while most allopathic programs do. This was important in my decision between the allopathic and osteopathic programs I was accepted into because something like 2/3 of the medical students in each class end up having to move to a different city or state during third and fourth year. There just weren't enough clinical spots open in the same city for the entire class.
However, I worked with a DO intern for a period of time, and she was far more knowledgeable/experienced than her MD counterpart, she attributed this to having a fantastic mentor and much more individual attention as a clinical student than she would've recieved through an allopathic program.

 

[MaximusD]

Sounds about right. j/k (from my allo perspective)

ut oh ::takes cover::

 

[Orthodoc40]

I can't say for any certainty but I think most osteopathic med schools do not have a hospital directly associated with them, while most allopathic programs do. This was important in my decision between the allopathic and osteopathic programs I was accepted into because something like 2/3 of the medical students in each class end up having to move to a different city or state during third and fourth year. There just weren't enough clinical spots open in the same city for the entire class.
However, I worked with a DO intern for a period of time, and she was far more knowledgeable/experienced than her MD counterpart, she attributed this to having a fantastic mentor and much more individual attention as a clinical student than she would've recieved through an allopathic program.

I think there are a fair number of DO schools that have enough hospitals directly associated with them that students don't have to move anywhere for 3rd or 4th year. But some do. Some actually want to anyway.

 

[Orthodoc40]

what is OMM? did a search and found a funny cat video, but still no idea what OMM is.

In 2006, all allopathic residency programs are open to graduates of both osteopathic and allopathic medical schools.
Good luck!

Is that definitely true? I was checking into a few (super competitive) hospitals I wanted to do electives at eventually and they stated on their website that they "do not allow osteopathic medical students to do electives there, and that FMG's had to contact some number, blah blah..." It made me conclude that if they don't let osteopathic students do electives, they sure don't consider them for residency spots - not exactly a big shock for super competitive places, anyway - but I just wondered. (It also made me think they DID consider FMG's however - oh no, not THAT debate!) I did try to reach the contact to get clarification, but they haven't responded.

 

[Law2Doc]

Is that definitely true? I was checking into a few (super competitive) hospitals I wanted to do electives at eventually and they stated on their website that they "do not allow osteopathic medical students to do electives there, and that FMG's had to contact some number, blah blah..." It made me conclude that if they don't let osteopathic students do electives, they sure don't consider them for residency spots - not exactly a big shock for super competitive places, anyway - but I just wondered. (It also made me think they DID consider FMG's however - oh no, not THAT debate!) I did try to reach the contact to get clarification, but they haven't responded.

DOs aren't as common in all parts of the country -- I've certainly worked in hospitals in regions where there are none. And there are likely biases by some allo residency directors in some specialties toward students who fit their same mold. There are certainly "old boy's club" specialties out there. So while all residencies may be open for DO students to apply, doesn't mean the odds of getting some of those allo specialty positions is necessarilly equal. DO's do have their own residencies in such specialties but they are not as numerous, which is why many DO students seek allo residency slots. This issue will likely never come up if you are shooting for less competitive specialties, but could if you have an interest in the more competitive ones.

But rather than letting this thread continue to slide in a bad direction, people with questions about the opportunities for DOs should really be asking folks on the pre-osteo/osteo boards. They are the ones actually walking the walk.

 

[njbmd]

Is that definitely true? I was checking into a few (super competitive) hospitals I wanted to do electives at eventually and they stated on their website that they "do not allow osteopathic medical students to do electives there, and that FMG's had to contact some number, blah blah..." It made me conclude that if they don't let osteopathic students do electives, they sure don't consider them for residency spots - not exactly a big shock for super competitive places, anyway - but I just wondered. (It also made me think they DID consider FMG's however - oh no, not THAT debate!) I did try to reach the contact to get clarification, but they haven't responded.

There is a difference between having a medical student do an elective and having a physician as a potential resident. AOA approval of electives for osteopathic medical students carry criteria that the hospital may not have been able to meet i.e. OMM content. These criteria would not affect a graduate of medical school but they do affect students. As the number of practicing osteopathic physicians increase in the population, I am certain that some of the hospitals that did not previously accomodate osteopathic medical students will have the resources to make these accomodations.

Situations may not always be a case of discrimination against an osteopathic medical student but lack of resources that are required for said student. Electives at any medical school allopathic or osteopathic have to be approved on both ends. Once a person graduates from medical school, the elective process becomes easier. Perhaps that "super competitive" hospital that you wanted to rotate thought might be able to take you as a graduate but not as a student.

Good luck!

 

[Orthodoc40]

There is a difference between having a medical student do an elective and having a physician as a potential resident. AOA approval of electives for osteopathic medical students carry criteria that the hospital may not have been able to meet i.e. OMM content. These criteria would not affect a graduate of medical school but they do affect students. As the number of practicing osteopathic physicians increase in the population, I am certain that some of the hospitals that did not previously accomodate osteopathic medical students will have the resources to make these accomodations.

Situations may not always be a case of discrimination against an osteopathic medical student but lack of resources that are required for said student. Electives at any medical school allopathic or osteopathic have to be approved on both ends. Once a person graduates from medical school, the elective process becomes easier. Perhaps that "super competitive" hospital that you wanted to rotate thought might be able to take you as a graduate but not as a student.

Good luck!

...Hadn't thought of that - but it makes a lot of sense. Thanks!

 

[MJB]

Sounds about right. j/k (from my allo perspective)

And earlier.

This kind of question invariably degenerates into one of those MD vs DO threads, so it's best not to go down this road. On the pre-osteo board there are a variety of discussions on what is DO, what is OMM and what is the osteopathic philosophy, which you may find helpful.

Wonder why that is, your honor?



What is your specialty L2D? Just wondering.

 

[MJB]

To the original poster, if you are serious and truly want to know about the profession, I would suggest reading "The DO's" by Norman Gevitz.

 

[MJB]

And read this.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=240220

 

[Haemulon]

I love when the MD/DO comarison threads come up. I would love to jump in with some opinions, but the OP seems sincere and people are genuinely trying to be helpful. The previous advice is good, definitely explore the DO threads to learn more about osteopathic medicine if you want to learn more about this option. Also make sure you understand the true nature of allopathic medicine as well and then you can make decisions as to what is better for you. Good luck.


Oh yeh, and don't forget to watch the cat video. 👍 😛

 

[efex101]

Like others have stated nicely there is not a lot of difference btw MD or DO education except OMM. There are some biases in *some* programs about accepting DO students into their residency program.

 

[Law2Doc]

And earlier.



Wonder why that is, your honor?

Dude, I didn't even pretend to make a serious dig. Just trying to add levity to a thread I feel still could teeter into the dark side. Sorry if you weren't amused. Comedy is not pretty.

 

[lilnoelle]

Dude, I didn't even pretend to make a serious dig. Just trying to add levity to a thread I feel still could teeter into the dark side. Sorry if you weren't amused. Comedy is not pretty.

I'm pretty sure he was joking too.