MD praises DO

[smc927]

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I friend of mine is a local family practice MD. He recently had a 3rd year DO student do a rotation in his office for a few weeks. This is paraphrasing what the MD told me:

Having a DO was fantastic. When a patient comes to me with neck pain or a back ache all I can do is give him some medicine, suggest he apply heat pads, or wish him luck dealing with it. This DO student was able to show such patients stretches and exercises they could do to alleviate some or all of the pain. By the time he left patients were actually calling and asking for him specifically. I wish I had those options available every day.

He continued to compliment how the DO education teaches a holistic approach that he appreciates. He hadn't even considered DO school when he went to MD school. Looking back, he confidently encouraged me to pursue my DO education.

 

[Howard Roark]

good luck

 

[cooldreams]

there is probally a little of many different things involved that led up to the md saying that, but basically, it is true, the "standard issue MD" does not know or how to perform omm.

 

[Howard Roark]

good luck

 

[cooldreams]

well those "stretches and exercises" are a far throw from omm. maybe just what that do student did should be told with more clarification.

 

[FutureDocDO]

Anyone is capable of showing others certains stretches that from experience would work for them. But, I think MD's are hesistant to show their patients something that they have not formally been taught. You have to keep in mind that we live in a society where lawsuits are a common part of life.

 

[smc927]

How hard would it be for the MD to learn how to show his/her patients some stretches? Its not rocket science.


.

It is not rocket science. He could do it. Who knows, maybe he will. The point is here is a well recognized MD in the community who respects and admires and, in my case, even encouraged DO over MD. And he did so knowing my GPA, etc, is competitive for MD. In other words, not a last resort.

 

[Howard Roark]

good luck

 

[Amy B]

It is not rocket science. He could do it. Who knows, maybe he will. The point is here is a well recognized MD in the community who respects and admires and, in my case, even encouraged DO over MD. And he did so knowing my GPA, etc, is competitive for MD. In other words, not a last resort.

I think what you have posted here is great. It is nice to have an MD recongnize the extra ability the DO student has. Good story.

 

[cooldreams]

I would still go MD if you can.


good luck


.

great!

i would still go DO if you can hehe...

 

[cooldreams]

amy, can i have some advice? 😀

 

[Cowboy DO]

Not to be a "nay sayer" but maybe someone could clarify this for me. I was under the impression that if a DO student does a rotation under an MD only, they are not allowed to use OMM. Specifically for legal reasons. (ie. neither the MD(in most cases) or the DO student are not fully trained in it)

 

[cooldreams]

wow really? that is a surprise to me. i thought as a doctor (md/do) you could do anything else any other doctor could do legally, just some things may be nearly immpossible to get insurance for.

 

[cdreed]

Not to be a "nay sayer" but maybe someone could clarify this for me. I was under the impression that if a DO student does a rotation under an MD only, they are not allowed to use OMM. Specifically for legal reasons. (ie. neither the MD(in most cases) or the DO student are not fully trained in it)

Last year as MSI at AZCOM, my preceptor was a MD. She allowed me to perform OMM when I thought it was appropriate. No problems.

 

[Idiopathic]

Not to be a "nay sayer" but maybe someone could clarify this for me. I was under the impression that if a DO student does a rotation under an MD only, they are not allowed to use OMM. Specifically for legal reasons. (ie. neither the MD(in most cases) or the DO student are not fully trained in it)

Nonsense. Anyone who told you that, lied. HV/LA is the only Rx that might be contraindicated ever, unless you are dealing with some serious chronic pain issues or degenerative joint disease, etc. that isnt easily managed acutely with OMT.

I think there are MD's that feel liability is an issue, and those individuals may spell this out for you, but, on the whole, this is not an issue.

 

[Idiopathic]

I would still go MD if you can.


good luck


.

Who asked?

 

[Cowboy DO]

Ok, you guys are right. It makes sense seeing as how by the time you?re a 3rd year you should be proficient enough not to hurt anyone with OMT. Not sure where i heard that, probably some where on this board though. 😀

 

[Ypo.]

How hard would it be for the MD to learn how to show his/her patients some stretches? Its not rocket science..

Actually, its a lot more than stretches. I just shadowed a DO using OMT yesterday and it was amazing what this guy did. It takes a lot of practice just being able to feel which muscles and joints are out of position, not to mention the complicated maneuvers he was performing. If you don't know what you're doing, you could really hurt someone.

My mother is a FP MD and wishes she knew OMT. She has considered doing some additional training in it, but doesn't have the time. She refers many of her patients with back/neck/shoulder pain to the DO I shadowed.

P.S. Medical school isn't like rocket science, either. 🙄

 

[OnMyWayThere]

LOTS of tension on these threads today!!!

 

[Amy B]

I noticed that myself. I was wondering why people seemed to be coming down on the OP, that is why I posted my support of their thread. Hope everyone has a great weekend. Relax and enjoy 😎

 

[Amy B]

amy, can i have some advice? 😀

Of course 👍 😀

 

[Dr Dean]

What a piece of crock thread. A good doctor's a good doctor in my opinion- MD or DO. I highly respect the DO philosophy, but the truth is that despite all these nicey-nicey, heart-warming threads, most DO students could care less for the OMM anyway (that didn't even sound like OMM either, but it's always good when a student could connect with a patient) and want to persue the MD residencies. DO is just an "in" into medicine and is the equivalent of MD. Don't make it any more than it is.

I'm not looking to rile up the DOgs of war, so to speak. 🙂 But I am looking for some honesty out there. I've seen DO's who don't come within 10 feet of the patient.

 

[cooldreams]

I'm not looking to rile up the DOgs of war, so to speak. 🙂 But I am looking for some honesty out there. I've seen DO's who don't come within 10 feet of the patient.

wow... who?? radiologists at home?? hehe

 

[InductionAgent]

But just about anybody can learn to educate patients in stretches and exercises. Its not that hard. Im a physical therapist and I could teach anybody how to do it in 20 minutes.

You're a PT, which last I heard involves a couple of years of training. That's the whole point. A DO who has applied his/herself toward learning OMM should have manipulatory skills comparable to a PT, as an adjunct to medical knowledge/ability comparable to an MD.