MD/DO residencies

[apple638]

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I wanted to know if I take the COMLEX, would I be eligible for both allopathic and osteopathic medical residencies. This may be premature mature because I don't start DO school until the fall but I just wanted some clarity to the question.

I know I might end up having to take the USMLE anyway because my home state of Louisiana does not accept the COMLEX as of yet.

I prefer having a osteopathic residency but I was advised by a practicing DO to apply to both kinds of residencies for a better chance of placement.

If anybody has some insight on this, please inform me.

Thanks 😕

 

[jean]

From what I have been told, you should take the COMLEX and USMLE if you want to specialize. Otherwise, if you are interested in primary care, there are plenty of DO residencies.

You may want to check the SDN threads (or at the AOA site) for a change in the Louisiana legislation regarding COMLEX. That may have changed in the last few months. Or possibly, it's a proposal yet to be decided.

 

[jean]

Angela - here's the SDN thread on louisiana and comlex

 

[apple638]

Thank you so much Jean for the info. Now I have a new question. I would like to do a residency in the South but do you think they will have any osteopathic ob/gyn residencies in Louisiana by 2005?

 

[Neurogirl]

If you plan to pursue an allopathic residency, whether or not you need to take both tests depends less on whether or not you want to specialize and more on WHAT specialty you're going into. For example, I only took the comlex...I'm going into neurology...and know of several people going into IM (the primary track for lots of specialties) who also only took the comlex. Entry into more competitive specialties WILL require both the usmle and comlex. Keep in mind that these tests are NOT requirements of the match, but rather, are requirements of the schools/residencies...my school required comlex I and II for graduation and my allopathic residency required them both for entry into the program (licensing issues). Only the comlex is needed for licensing. The necessity of taking the usmle is based on the competitiveness of the programs and specialties you're considering. BTW, OB/GYN is fairly competitive so you'll need to take both.

Also, although anything is possible, I doubt there will be any osteo OB/GYN residencies in Louisiana in the near future, because establishing a new residency program is a lengthy, time consuming process. To find out whether or not there are any plans for new programs, contact the AOA. Hope this info helps. 😀

Neurogirl DO, MPH

 

[Hskermdic]

I don't think it is possible to apply for both matches anymore. Or you can but I think the way it works is you can apply for both but then the DO match takes place first. If you match in the DO match your name is pulled out of the MD match before it is run.

Does anyone out there know if I am right or wrong on this one?

 

[apple638]

Thanks for the info Neurogirl. I'll contact AOA regarding osteopathic residencies in Louisiana.

 

[Neurogirl]

Hskermdic,

You are correct! You can go through both, but if you match to a DO program, you are pulled from the MD match.

 

[apple638]

I actually went to the AOA website and looked at the ob/gyn residencies and there aren't that many available in the South. Does anybody have an idea to why that is?

 

[soggybottomboys]

Where are most osteopathic schools located? Only three in the "south". I don't think Ft. Lauderdale really counts, though.