MD Parents disapproving of DO

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
P

pmc2025

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2010
Messages
56
Reaction score
1
Members do not see this ad.
Hi guys, I was wondering if I could get some advice. My parents have decided that me applying to DO is worse than applying to MD and not receiving any acceptances whatsoever. They're both MDs, and have little experience with DOs, apart from one primary care doctor in the area who openly argues that DO is a poor career path. Having essentially grown up in the halls of a large research medical center, I've only ever heard of MDs. With the start of my med school search, I've really become enamored with the DO philosophy, and would proudly go to a DO school. Before you ask, this is not a cultural/ethnic thing, it's an "I'm an MD and my child will be an MD" thing.

What I need to know is - how do I talk my parents into the fact that there's a good possibility I might become a DO?
 
this one's tricky because your parents (unlike most) aren't completely oblivious to the medical world. I think that whatever your degree is, professionals have a certain level of respect for one another. What I would do if I were you would be to start shadowing a DO, get to know him/her better, and ask them if they would be willing to speak with your parents about why DO is not such a bad thing. Since your folks haven't had much experience w/ DO's, exposing them to a successful physician with a DO after their name might open their eyes a bit.

just a thought
 
pmc2025 said:
Hi guys, I was wondering if I could get some advice. My parents have decided that me applying to DO is worse than applying to MD and not receiving any acceptances whatsoever. They're both MDs, and have little experience with DOs, apart from one primary care doctor in the area who openly argues that DO is a poor career path. Having essentially grown up in the halls of a large research medical center, I've only ever heard of MDs. With the start of my med school search, I've really become enamored with the DO philosophy, and would proudly go to a DO school. Before you ask, this is not a cultural/ethnic thing, it's an "I'm an MD and my child will be an MD" thing.

What I need to know is - how do I talk my parents into the fact that there's a good possibility I might become a DO?
Click to expand...

Are they planning on paying for your applications? your med school? The DO Philosophy is great and all but in reality IMO its really less about where you go to school than how you practice. If your parents are going to pay for MD but not DO than go that route, Harvard offers manipulation electives to their students these days as do a couple of other schools. Treating the person as a whole and such is honestly something you can do with any degree.

What is their arguement against DO? Rather than fighting show them successful DOs, show them stats that you can practice any specialties, find DOs in your area and ask them to contact the person and speak about the profession if they are uninformed... In all honesty its not their decision. If you are paying for your school than its your decision.
 
Apply MD only and deal with the consequences or grow up and live your own life. I see no other options.
 
Apply MD. I have no regrets going DO, but it's not worth the headache if you're just liking the "philosophy." There will be no difference between how you practice and how your allopathic peers will.
 
aspiringOSTEO said:
Heck, call up a prospective DO school of your choice and schedule a meeting with the admissions director and drag your parents along and let them ask all the questions they want.
Click to expand...

I'm not so sure that this is such a good idea, only because adcoms might look negatively upon you as an applicant if they see that you don't have parents who are supporting your decision to be a D.O. I got asked in interviews about how my family feels about my career plans and if they are supportive, etc.
 
melissaliss said:
I'm not so sure that this is such a good idea, only because adcoms might look negatively upon you as an applicant if they see that you don't have parents who are supporting your decision to be a D.O. I got asked in interviews about how my family feels about my career plans and if they are supportive, etc.
Click to expand...

Plenty of people don't even have parents, or have parents that are estranged from them already. I hardly see how this would be a major factor in admissions. I suppose if you botch the answer to that kind of thing it might be a problem, but if you answer that your family is not supportive yet you have considered their concerns and made your own decisions... I think that's a positive thing overall. At least, it worked for me.

To the OP, read a little more on the forums... you'll see that the DO "philosophy" is just as often carried over in allopathic schools. You have to do what is right for yourself, whether that is obeying your parents wishes so that they don't get upset, or choosing a school that you like regardless of their opinions. You cannot live for others.
 
Hmm, it really depends on what your priority is.

1. Tell your parents about your passion and how much you want to be a DO. If they don't listen, there are going to be two outcomes.

A. If your priority is your family, apply MD and make your parents proud and happy.

B. If your priority is your future and your career, apply DO and make yourself happy.

Good luck with making the right choice :]
 
Bacchus said:
So you'll have loans?
Click to expand...

This seems like a very fast and loose way of looking at it. Loans are a huge part of what makes med students, resident, and attendings miserable. It might signify taking responsibility and living independently but it ties you down for a very, very long time.

Get your parents on board w/ DO and don't have $250k debt or have your parents be disappointed in your decision and have $250k debt.
 
mechanictodr said:
Dude... Really?!?
Click to expand...
I thought it was pretty accurate, given their description by the OP.

But seriously, living your life according to your parents is just ridiculous. Do what you want and if they don't approve, screw 'em.
 
My dad is an MD as well. I think this is only really common in MD parents from other countries (my dad graduated from AIIMS). He didn't really know what a DO was until a couple of years ago and assumed it was like a chiropractor or something. After I told him about DO schools he looked around town to see if he could find any DO's. He was very surprised to find out that some of the doctors he has been working with for the past 20+ years are DO's. From that point on he still says that if I get into an MD school then go there, but he now views DO schools as a solid choice and equal.

Maybe your parents really need to look around and talk to some DO's (because I'm sure they know at least one). Show them match rates into MD residencies and show them the coursework comparison (which is all but identical).

If they still don't get it tell them, you do what you want!

cartman-1.jpg
 
Chops369 said:
I thought it was pretty accurate, given their description by the OP.

But seriously, living your life according to your parents is just ridiculous. Do what you want and if they don't approve, screw 'em.
Click to expand...

Ya, but dissing someone's parents is never cool. You may disagree with eachother, but at the end of the day you're still family and that has to count for a lot.

BTW... I'd apply where I was competitive and make my own decisions. Your parents will not hold it against you forever. They most likely just have normal concerns for your wellbeing.

My two cousins who are surgeons gave a 👎 when they heard I was applying to DO schools too because they have only ever experienced them in primary care. They had worse grades and mcat's than me and attended Univ. Mississippi. If I had that as an option I'd have a chance, but my state school is OHSU and I have no shot at even thinking of applying West Coast MD. DO or MD you'll have a lot of work ahead of you and you should focus on that. Your family will come to terms eventually.
 
Last edited:
rcheech7 said:
My dad is an MD as well. I think this is only really common in MD parents from other countries (my dad graduated from AIIMS). He didn't really know what a DO was until a couple of years ago and assumed it was like a chiropractor or something. After I told him about DO schools he looked around town to see if he could find any DO's. He was very surprised to find out that some of the doctors he has been working with for the past 20+ years are DO's. From that point on he still says that if I get into an MD school then go there, but he now views DO schools as a solid choice and equal.

Maybe your parents really need to look around and talk to some DO's (because I'm sure they know at least one). Show them match rates into MD residencies and show them the coursework comparison (which is all but identical).

If they still don't get it tell them, you do what you want!

cartman-1.jpg
Click to expand...
How is the indian degree MBBS compared to DO?
 
emno said:
How is the indian degree MBBS compared to DO?
Click to expand...

As far as I know MBBS=MD, he puts MD after his name not MBBS.

Not sure if that was what you meant. Did you mean whether getting a MBBS and applying into the USA as a FMG was the better route instead of DO? If thats the case no, it is far better to go DO than applying in as a FMG.

AIIMS is also the "Harvard of the East" and is the best medical school in India, that only helped to fuel his view of DO's and is probably why he matched easily into the USA, but that was also well over 20 years ago.
 
The Asian parents disapproving of DO has come up before in another thread. Nevertheless, I do think having parents that are unfamiliar with the DO path are detremental to their kids by blocking out a great path to becoming a physician. With my own parents, I had to educate them that MDs are not the only doctors. Actually, it wasn't until an uncle of mine that saw a DO at PCOM (and spoke very highly of him)in PA that they became fully convinced that the DO path was acceptable. I think this comes about due to both reasons discussed in this thread. First, my parents are of indian descent and second, a MD uncle of mine was bashing my DO acceptance. While I am pretty pissed about that one must understand that lack of knowledge many times leads to ignorance of the unknown...possibly some form of xenophobia. Our parents want the best for us and having MD parents that know little of DOs is a good example.of my arguement. OP, I would educate them on the osteopathic route and show them your desire for this path
 
It seems that the OP stopped responding and this discussion is carrying itself but to the OP, if your still reading this, can you tell us what field of medicine ur MD parents practice in?
 
:: kid's parents at a cocktail party ::

Random person: So what do you do for a living?

Kid's parents: Oh, well, we're both physicians.

Random person: Oh, that's excellent. Any kids? What do they do?

Kid's parents: We have one son ... and umm, well ... he's a physician

Random: You must be proud.

Parents: It's kind of a sore subject ... we uhh, we don't like to talk about it.
 
JaggerPlate said:
:: kid's parents at a cocktail party ::

Random person: So what do you do for a living?

Kid's parents: Oh, well, we're both physicians.

Random person: Oh, that's excellent. Any kids? What do they do?

Kid's parents: We have one son ... and umm, well ... he's a physician

Random: You must be proud.

Parents: It's kind of a sore subject ... we uhh, we don't like to talk about it.
Click to expand...

ha!
 
Skippygonenuts said:
It seems that the OP stopped responding and this discussion is carrying itself but to the OP, if your still reading this, can you tell us what field of medicine ur MD parents practice in?
Click to expand...

Hey dude, I'm still reading - I'm not the type to chime in every 3rd post, lol! They're in Neurology with a heavy focus on research.


EDIT: I'm also taking a heavy summer course load, so I've been trying to stay off SDN and stay on the coursework.
 
Last edited:
pmc2025 said:
Hey dude, I'm still reading - I'm not the type to chime in every 3rd post, lol! They're in Neurology with a heavy focus on research.


EDIT: I'm also taking a heavy summer course load, so I've been trying to stay off SDN and stay on the coursework.
Click to expand...

Do your parents feel that they would make any less money than they do now if they had the letters DO after their name instead of MD? Or do they think their patients would view them any differently? Do they think that if you decided to do neurology you won't be a successful physical just because of those 2 letters?

Maybe you should look up some DO neuros or neurosurgs and if they're in close proximity to you have ur parents meet them. Or maybe you can just show them online all of their accomplishments..

Good luck with the studying.
 
JaggerPlate said:
:: kid's parents at a cocktail party ::

Random person: So what do you do for a living?

Kid's parents: Oh, well, we're both physicians.

Random person: Oh, that's excellent. Any kids? What do they do?

Kid's parents: We have one son ... and umm, well ... he's a physician

Random: You must be proud.

Parents: It's kind of a sore subject ... we uhh, we don't like to talk about it.
Click to expand...
:clap: :laugh: Jagger, love the humor here man this was awesome!
 
Only on SDN will you find parents that will be ashamed of their child's dream to become a doctor.

:wow:


My advice isn't more than what's already been said. You can respect and appreciate your parent's input, but ultimately it's your life to lead and decision to make.
 
pmc2025 said:
Hi guys, I was wondering if I could get some advice. My parents have decided that me applying to DO is worse than applying to MD and not receiving any acceptances whatsoever. They're both MDs, and have little experience with DOs, apart from one primary care doctor in the area who openly argues that DO is a poor career path. Having essentially grown up in the halls of a large research medical center, I've only ever heard of MDs. With the start of my med school search, I've really become enamored with the DO philosophy, and would proudly go to a DO school. Before you ask, this is not a cultural/ethnic thing, it's an "I'm an MD and my child will be an MD" thing.

What I need to know is - how do I talk my parents into the fact that there's a good possibility I might become a DO?
Click to expand...
>>

As someone whose probably twice your age, I'll tell you two things.
1) you have to have your own mind at some point, and part of that will be breaking from what your parents suggest and going with what you think is best. If it isn't college, it'll be marriage- or raising children, or something. At some point, you'll make the transition.
2) HOW you make the transition will either make you look like a brat-idiot that they must always worry about- waiting for you to fail. Or, a man.

Make that transition as a mature adult. Suggesting "follow your own dream, f your parents" is a short term solution to a long term life. Have a conversation with your parents. Not about what you feel, but about medicine. Your parents are MDs for goodness sakes. How many of us here would love to have the personal advice of 2 MDs in our corner? Really, your parents want success for you. I'm not siding with them, I'm suggesting you talk to them professionally. Consider what they say as doctors, not Mom and Dad. Ask them to be reasonable, and you be reasonable too. Maybe you have not considered all points of view? Perhaps applying to both and then picking together? Maybe your parents REALLY want you to attend a certain school and it's not MD vs DO? I will also say this, if you take their money, then they should get to pick. You pay= you pick.

In 20 years when everyone is sitting at Thanksgiving dinner and you are there with your wife and 10 children, you'll want it to be loving- not hostile.
 
CookDeRosa said:
>>

As someone whose probably twice your age, I'll tell you two things.
1) you have to have your own mind at some point, and part of that will be breaking from what your parents suggest and going with what you think is best. If it isn't college, it'll be marriage- or raising children, or something. At some point, you'll make the transition.
2) HOW you make the transition will either make you look like a brat-idiot that they must always worry about- waiting for you to fail. Or, a man.

Make that transition as a mature adult. Suggesting "follow your own dream, f your parents" is a short term solution to a long term life. Have a conversation with your parents. Not about what you feel, but about medicine. Your parents are MDs for goodness sakes. How many of us here would love to have the personal advice of 2 MDs in our corner? Really, your parents want success for you. I'm not siding with them, I'm suggesting you talk to them professionally. Consider what they say as doctors, not Mom and Dad. Ask them to be reasonable, and you be reasonable too. Maybe you have not considered all points of view? Perhaps applying to both and then picking together? Maybe your parents REALLY want you to attend a certain school and it's not MD vs DO? I will also say this, if you take their money, then they should get to pick. You pay= you pick.

In 20 years when everyone is sitting at Thanksgiving dinner and you are there with your wife and 10 children, you'll want it to be loving- not hostile.
Click to expand...

Dam near most mature post I've seen on SDN in a long time.
 
be a man, take charge of you own life! apply where you want and when you get in, tell your parents this was your decision and in the long run they will support you!
 
what medical schools did your parents go to if u dont mind me asking?
 
traitorman said:
what medical schools did your parents go to if u dont mind me asking?
Click to expand...

I don't want to give away too much. Let's leave it with state schools in the deep south, but now work at a top-10 research university medical center.
 
pmc2025 said:
I don't want to give away too much. Let's leave it with state schools in the deep south, but now work at a top-10 research university medical center.
Click to expand...

If it makes any difference, the two areas in the country that I've heard have the worst 'DO bias' are the south and northern cali. Take it as you will.
 
pmc2025 said:
I don't want to give away too much. Let's leave it with state schools in the deep south, but now work at a top-10 research university medical center.
Click to expand...

no problem. if it was out of the country, then that would be a different story
 
Tell your parents to pay all your bills for the next 30 years since they think becoming a DO is so bad.
 
Why are you all so quick to say "Blow off your parents" ?

I don't know about you all, but having a good relationship with my parents carries quite a bit of weight in my life, even if it sometimes means doing things differently than I would if I were only considering myself. Also its not like your parents are ignorant to the world of medicine, they clearly have a huge amount of relevant experience.

Additionally, at many MD schools you can take electives in almost anything including: accupuncture, manual manipulation, alternative medicine, etc. And if you don't go to an MD school that does, then you do an away elective. Also if you have a state MD school to go to then your probably going to save a bunch of cash going MD instead of DO.
 
First off, Bacchus needs to be thrown off SDN for his derogatory comments posted earlier. Second, no, DOs have a great reputation in the south (determining on what south you're referring to) TX,OK south or Southeast like Mississippi and such. Anyways, Dr. Ronald Blanck, DO served as Surgeon General of the Army. Tell your parents he was a DO who served his country proudly.

Best of luck in your decision. Last advice is this: do what you wanna do.
 
TJ87 said:
First off, Bacchus needs to be thrown off SDN for his derogatory comments posted earlier. Second, no, DOs have a great reputation in the south (determining on what south you're referring to) TX,OK south or Southeast like Mississippi and such. Anyways, Dr. Ronald Blanck, DO served as Surgeon General of the Army. Tell your parents he was a DO who served his country proudly.

Best of luck in your decision. Last advice is this: do what you wanna do.
Click to expand...


👍

Also 👍 to the rest of the post.
 
If calling a spade a spade got you kicked off SDN ... I would have been gone years ago.
 
Jagger, I gotta quote you on this one... you said it the best once before in one of the Asian parent threads. Im gonna use you again here!

JaggerPlate said:
If your parents would "shun" you for becoming a doctor ... yes, I would say it is worth it to be an outcast and never speak to them again. Lol, I'll never get that mindset:

Horrible parents: "this is my son, he's a plumber, we are very proud of him."
House guest: "don't you have two sons?"
Horrible parents: "yes, but the other is a D.O. He went to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and now makes 800,000 dollars a year working as a Neurosurgeon in Philadelphia. He brings our family much shame."
Click to expand...
 
Dr2B4Ever said:
I just wanted to say that some parts of the south do have a big DO bias -- does depend on which part you're in. I went to school in one of the east coast southern states and was constantly facing questions and derision from state school MD students and just random other non-pre-med classmates who thought I was insane for wanting to apply both MD and DO. I had NPs telling me that it'd be better to go to NP school than become a DO. They also were not extremely uninformed of DOs, equating them more to NDs and massage therapists than anyone else. I have no problems with these professions, but they are not what a DO is. Even when I corrected any misconceptions, they still thought I was crazy. I talked to an MD from the northeast and he said that it was because there aren't that many DOs there and therefore there is nothing to dispel the bias, even among other physicians who were born and raised and never left the state.
Click to expand...

sucks that its like that but i guess it makes sense
 
Dr2B4Ever said:
I just wanted to say that some parts of the south do have a big DO bias -- does depend on which part you're in. I went to school in one of the east coast southern states and was constantly facing questions and derision from state school MD students and just random other non-pre-med classmates who thought I was insane for wanting to apply both MD and DO. I had NPs telling me that it'd be better to go to NP school than become a DO. They also were not extremely uninformed of DOs, equating them more to NDs and massage therapists than anyone else. I have no problems with these professions, but they are not what a DO is. Even when I corrected any misconceptions, they still thought I was crazy. I talked to an MD from the northeast and he said that it was because there aren't that many DOs there and therefore there is nothing to dispel the bias, even among other physicians who were born and raised and never left the state.

So, depending on where you are, I understand completely understand why you may be having problems. I would suggest just trying to show them how its different -- and show them match lists etc from DO schools that prove that they are good schools. Show them board pass rates. Explain that even if you go DO, you may or may not do an osteopathic residency -- personally, I want to go DO but will probably do an allopathic residency. I would also recommend, as others have, being very mature and responsible about it that way they take you seriously. And do listen to what they have to say -- they have been in the profession for a longer period of time.
Click to expand...


Maybe if more premeds from the south grew a pair and stopped being such pu$$ies riding around in mommy and daddy's pockets this supposed bias would be eliminated by now. There is a reason the only southern state ive been to is Florida...and that hardly counts.
 
willen101383 said:
Maybe if more premeds from the south grew a pair and stopped being such pu$$ies riding around in mommy and daddy's pockets this supposed bias would be eliminated by now. There is a reason the only southern state ive been to is Florida...and that hardly counts.
Click to expand...

Because of your BIAS against the south...good game sir, good game.
 
MLT2MT2DO said:
Because of your BIAS against the south...good game sir, good game.
Click to expand...

Thanks man I know.

BTW why shouldnt I have a bias against the south if there is supposedly an overbearing bias against DOs and they are being equated to NDs?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Ho0v-man
DO vs Carib MD podcast episode
Replies
3
Views
1K
Ho0v-man
Ho0v-man
Meganerd2012
  • Question Question
DO acceptance or Conditional MD SMP acceptance
Replies
27
Views
3K
Meganerd2012
Meganerd2012
S
Interesting Take - Canadian MD vs US DO
Replies
2
Views
1K
sky778
S
M
Apply DO or wait a year to apply DO + MD
Replies
5
Views
3K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
P
MD reapplicant, DO first time applicant
Replies
4
Views
2K
Goro
Goro
Top