MD vs. DO thread-- Final Resting Place

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spicedmanna said:
Nah, these "types" of conversations are only really prevalent amongst premeds.
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If there is one thing I've learned in the past two years from asking attendings,interns, and residents about the whole DO vs MD debate, it is precisely what you just posted. Some have told me that the curiousity factor that a colleague has about you as a DO can help you and get you noticed in some rotation settings... Maybe 20 years ago, although do's had the same practicing rights, some viewed them as inferior. Today you can find DO's in some of the best residency programs in the country. Your degree is not what defines you anymore... and the whole DO<MD thing is a premed debate.... but this has all been said 1000x's....
 
well, i think it is really a misconception that OMM is an addition to Allo cirriculum Some other things are actually cut out from the Allo cirriculum in order to fit OMM in.

Well, how about going into MD and then taking an OMM course later?That way you get the best from the both worlds.
 
tkim said:
What exactly is a 'global health career'?
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Meant being able to work globally in Medicine and/or Public health. Some countries don't allow you to practice with DO because they don't have the degree or don't understand, and I think at some point I would like to work outside of the US.
 
That is the stupidest thing ever on these boards.

Medical education is standardized by law. Any DO school that cuts anything out of its curriculum to teach OMM, or anything else, would lose its accreditation. There is no way around that.
 
hi, i have learned stuff about DO and MD and what the differences are. However, in my case, i got a 22 on my first MCAT. I am considering taking MCAT again in january 26th. I am considering DO school and some MD schools. However, my last choices are the Caribbean school. But i really want to consider DO as it is within the country and cheaper than the Caribbean school in terms of travel and costs.

I found some in florida such as NOVA. Also, i found TUCOM-CA.

So basically, i want to do radiology since i have shadowed a radiologist in that field and it seems fun. He has explained how flexible the career is when considering time for family and work. He has told me the pros and cons. So i'm firmly set on pursueing that career.

I want to know whether a DO can actually specialized in radiology during the residency. I know medical school is just medical school where you learn medicine and such. Residency is where you actually choose what you want to do.

So, the question i'm asking here is Can a person with DO do radiology? Why or why not?

also, i have not even applied for the 2008. so i'm taking a year off. I'm going to consider doing some related-field work with radiology. Is there any steps that i can take or can do for radiology related-work?

I am not sure if i will be graduating in 2008 after May. I may have to one summer class. Is it possible that i can apply early before April deadline of 2008 and if i have to finish the class over summer and matriculate in august for the DO school?



please help me out by discussing this. thanks!

🙂
 
Lokhtar said:
Umm, no one said it was impossible. They just said it was harder. I would bet that the average stats of osteopathic students matching into things like Surgery were higher than the corresponding allopathic students.
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Nope, the quote claimed " in general surgery and its subspecialties DOs were automatically rejected." I posted solid proof that it's not the case.

Furthermore, it states that many residency programs discriminate against DOs. If they're trying to say the majority, then that's a false statement as well. Look at the match lists for more proof.
 
Creightonite said:
well, i think it is really a misconception that OMM is an addition to Allo cirriculum Some other things are actually cut out from the Allo cirriculum in order to fit OMM in.
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Geez, this is getting ridiculous. Will you people please stop posting about things you have no clue about? NYCOM uses the same exact textbooks as allopathic institutions and goes through them from cover to back. Furthermore we follow along in First Aid (USMLE review for allopathic students) as we go just to make sure nothing is missed. MD students don't need to study/go to class 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Regardless of how hard you think they work, I'm sure there is an extra 2-3 hours per week available for an extra class. This is the reason why I and most other DOs stress if you can't stand OMM then don't bother with a DO school. The general medical curriculum is hard enough without an additional few hours a week to worry about something you think is bs.
 
First retake the MCAT, its unlikely you will get into those schools with a 22.

Next, Radiology is super competetive for both DO's and MD's, and you can apply for residency, but may not match into it. So better you find another field you like just in case that doesn't work out.

Dont worry about undergrad radiology research, get into med school school then worry about it.

Just so everyone that reads this thread see this...
DO's match into every fields that MD's do
 
OH MY GOD! let go of the MD vs DO debates! they are equal under law. THATS IT 👍

To the OP: If you still cant decide whether you want MD or DO, AFTER researching the tons of informaiton on this site and others on the internet, nobody here can make a decision for you. Plus, you posting in a DO forum will get you biased answers. Seriously, what is the liklihood you'll pick one degree over the other by listening to what a bunch of pre-meds have to say, even after all has been said here?
 
DO's can be any kind of
[*]ologist or
[*]trician or
[*]ic surgeon than MD's can. That's what licensed to practice medicine in all 50 states means... If an MD can do it, so can a DO.
 
thanks to everyone for replying. I guess i got caught up in all the hype because everything is SO competitive these days. College was, jobs are, MCATs are, etc., so it's really nice to read that there are people out there who aren't gunners.

I might be leaning more towards DO now....where'd I put that MSAR?

😀
 
BananaMonkey said:
thanks to everyone for replying. I guess i got caught up in all the hype because everything is SO competitive these days. College was, jobs are, MCATs are, etc., so it's really nice to read that there are people out there who aren't gunners.

I might be leaning more towards DO now....where'd I put that MSAR?

😀
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Go to aacom.org. They have a book with all the schools that you can look at online for free.
 
Go see the thread I started in the Radiology forum called DO radiology. Very informative.
 
I know OSU-COM has interventional and possibly oncology, but don't hold me to it.

To the original poster. I'm a registered Xray tech with several years experience in the field. Relax. You haven't spent half the time in the field that you need to, in order to draw a conclusion. I love Radiology with my experience, but I'm also open to whatever I may be exposed to in rotations. Relax, strengthen your app and MCAT score this next year and apply for '09.

The topic of DO's in MD residencies can be written on for hours. There's a great book titled " The Definitive Guide for a DO Seeking an MD Residency" Go read that and inform yourself a little.
 
is rad onc or interventional a fellowship after diag rad?
 
radonc has its own residency. Many years ago radiologists used to do radonc.

interventional is a fellowship after diag rad residency.
 
i shadowed an interventional radiologist for a day a couple summers ago and it was the coolest thing ive ever seen.

ive never been too enthusiastic for diag radiology, so its interesting to know i have to go tthrough that to get interventional.
 
texas, i find this post stupid and annoying and I am sick of hearing about the DO vs MD crap. This post is simply adding fuel to the fire of a ridiculous argument and I think it is immature on your part to keep that fire going. I think you should find something better to do with your time rather than post 1000+ messages on SDN, loser.
 
This will be closed in 5,4,3,2,1...
 
This is so annoying ... honestly is anyone else tired of a thread every other day of someone asking if a DO is a doctor and what they can do. Honestly people, do TEN seconds of research. Google 'Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine,' read the sticky/faq at the top of the forums, and most importantly ... know what a DO is before you apply to DO schools. A lot ask in interviews, 'why osteopathic ..' and that would probably be a poor time to ask 'Wait a DO can practice medicine??' Honestly people ... public service announcement here ... don't go to a DO school because you feel it is a last resort, or you are afraid of not getting into MD schools. Know what it is about. Know how identical it is to MD schooling, and for god sake know what a DO is AND THAT THEY ARE 100% EQUAL TO MDs IN AMERICA AND CAN PRACTICE IN ANY FIELD OF MEDICINE.

Honestly, not trying to be a jerk, but it's really easy to see through some of you guys here, and it's not cool for us pre-osteo students who really understand/want to go to these medical schools. 👎
 
Wow, some people just can't take a joke...
 
whichever one chuck norris is
 
belichek said:
texas, i find this post stupid and annoying and I am sick of hearing about the DO vs MD crap. This post is simply adding fuel to the fire of a ridiculous argument and I think it is immature on your part to keep that fire going. I think you should find something better to do with your time rather than post 1000+ messages on SDN, loser.
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Maybe one day, when you are a rich and powerful doctor, someone will pretend to be friends with you. Until then, best to keep to yourself.
 
Desiraju01 said:
So, the question i'm asking here is Can a person with DO do radiology? Why or why not?
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I don't wanna be rude... but what if we answered you and said "no".... flat out big fat "no"..... I mean its not like your going to all of a sudden decide to only apply to MD schools (esspecially with a 22 ~ you almost have a chance of zero for interviews, yet alone an acceptance), I am not trying to discourage you, but a pre-med should put his mind where it should be "THE PRE-MED PROCESS" ~ AKA getting accepted into some med-school

Honestly, i've said this before, its a little silly for pre-meds to be talking about the godly-ol-mighty residencies (like dermata, plastics, radiology, etc etc), FIRST get your grades straight, improve your MCAT, work on your ECs, GET medical interviews, AND FINALLY if you get accepted into some medical school, THEN you can start to think about whatever specialty you want to do.
 
hermit said:
Maybe one day, when you are a rich and powerful doctor, someone will pretend to be friends with you. Until then, best to keep to yourself.
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get a life, until then, enjoy making love to ur right hand and posting stupid messages on sdn
 
OMM was originally a martial art. Only in the last few years has it started to be taught as a "healing art". I think most schools now use the idea that you must be able to kill to heal as the foundation of their program. So, obviously a DO would have a healthy advantage. That said, there are probably some MDs learning the dark arts as well. Who knows?

Texas: Maybe if you were to start all facetious comments with a disclaimer, you wouldn't create confusion among the less.......creative 😉
 
I don't know about fighting...

But alpha-male DOs have the largest packages out of all other degrees (MDs included)
 
JaggerPlate said:
This is so annoying ... honestly is anyone else tired of a thread every other day of someone asking if a DO is a doctor and what they can do. Honestly people, do TEN seconds of research. Google 'Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine,' read the sticky/faq at the top of the forums, and most importantly ... know what a DO is before you apply to DO schools. A lot ask in interviews, 'why osteopathic ..' and that would probably be a poor time to ask 'Wait a DO can practice medicine??' Honestly people ... public service announcement here ... don't go to a DO school because you feel it is a last resort, or you are afraid of not getting into MD schools. Know what it is about. Know how identical it is to MD schooling, and for god sake know what a DO is AND THAT THEY ARE 100% EQUAL TO MDs IN AMERICA AND CAN PRACTICE IN ANY FIELD OF MEDICINE.

Honestly, not trying to be a jerk, but it's really easy to see through some of you guys here, and it's not cool for us pre-osteo students who really understand/want to go to these medical schools. 👎
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If you didn't say it, I was gonna.

Seriously people, take advantage of the FAQ and Search functions.

Wouldn't it be nice if every MD vs. DO thread like this was automatically closed?
 
Lokhtar said:
One bad thing is that I don't believe there are any osteopathic programs for radiation oncology. Maybe someone can correct me on that? So that one would be tough, though certainly not impossible (considering its a very popular field for MDs too).
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Rumor is that NOVA is opening up a radiation oncology program. I believe that there was one DO who matched into a rad onc program last year.

Obviously, that person tends to be the exception.
 
jzeidenb said:
i shadowed an interventional radiologist for a day a couple summers ago and it was the coolest thing ive ever seen.

ive never been too enthusiastic for diag radiology, so its interesting to know i have to go tthrough that to get interventional.
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I'm assuming that there's a self-selection process in those that want to do interventional radiology but I fail to see why at least having an appreciation for diagnostic rads shouldn't be a precursor.
 
Fermata said:
I'm assuming that there's a self-selection process in those that want to do interventional radiology but I fail to see why at least having an appreciation for diagnostic rads shouldn't be a precursor.
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its not that i dont, its just that the diag rads i shadowed never ever have human contact, they sit in the room and read scans all day long. Part of why i want to be a physician is the interaction with my patients and i think it would be hypocritical of me to chose a field where that doesnt happen as much.

maybe this isnt how it always is, but at least in my 3 months of shadowing, i think the doc talked to maybe 2 patients the whole time.
 
It is impossible for a DO to match into any residency whatsoever. Not even the osteopathic residency programs.
 
There is one real life thing I have seen that bothers me slightly about osteopathy. There is a group practice with MDs and one DO. The MDs all clearly put MD on their business card while the DO opts to put his name and "physician" under his name. Minor difference but I could see how that could get annoying.
 
Sigh, Indian parents are the worst. When I told my dad I will go to a DO school. He said "I will allow you to go DO only if you promise me that you will turn that degree to MD in the future"

I am like WHAT THE HELL??? How can I turn a DO into MD? And Besides, even if I wanted to do that, WHY WOULD I? just so that he can tell EVERYONE IN THE INDIAN COMMUNITY THAT "MY SON IS AN MD" instead of "MY SON IS A DO". 😡
 
TexasTriathlete said:
There was an Indian DO who did some of his residency at the hospital where I volunteer.
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I know that man, there are alot of Indian DOs , thats not the issue, the issue is that my parents are embarrased to say that I am going to be a DO.

Sigh, I don't get what the big deal is, and I am honestly sick of this bull****, I wish there was no option like DO or MD , man I just wanted to be a doctor.

The real culprit here is prestige of being a doctor- especially of being an MD. Prestige should be thrown out the Window. No doctor whether DO or MD should have any prestige in any community, this way , no one really cares what you are.
 
They just don't get it. My mom doesn't get it either. I am 30, and I don't need her approval anymore for anything, but it would be nice. Mostly, I am embarassed that she doesn't know what she's talking about.

I am about as white as they come, except that I used to be a really good dunker, and I had a 33" vertical leap in my prime. So is she. I think its more of an age thing. Your parents and mine just don't understand what a DO does. Hell, I didn't until less than 2 years ago. They'll figure it out once you're actually practicing medicine.
 
megboo said:
+pity+
Tell your parents to get over it, or we're going to get over you.
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I guess i am just frustrated, yea , I just wanted to mention that being a doc or trying to be a doc should have nothing to do with crazy ideas about prestige or pressure from family- this especially applies to Indian pre-meds. There, there is always a good message in there , somwhere :idea:

They'll figure it out once you're actually practicing medicine.
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I hope so man. It would be insulting if my mother chooses to not take me as her PCP because I am a DO. It would be very embarrasingly funny to hear, "But son, I want to go to a real doctor".
 
The world, especially your future patients, are not going to care about your family prejudices, so you might as well get used to calling yourself Saregamapadanis, DO in the event that you don't get into an allo school. Or you could do the less-than-smart thing of reapplying *just* to get into an MD school.

Perhaps, instead of lamenting over becoming a DO, you should be asking for advice on how to deal with parents who are ignorant about the DO degree and what it stands for.

I am coming off more harsh than usual because, if you applied DO, then you already know what to expect. Just because your parents have no idea means you need to step up and own what you're doing. So what if they're old-school Indian. You live in America now, and last I knew, DOs in America = MD for practice rights.

There are tons, TONS, of people who would sell a kidney for the chance of becoming a DO, and you are lamenting it because of your parents' ideologies.

Sorry dude, my sympathy gauge is on low.
 
megboo said:
I am coming off more harsh than usual because, if you applied DO, then you already know what to expect. Just because your parents have no idea means you need to step up and own what you're doing. So what if they're old-school Indian. You live in America now, and last I knew, DOs in America = MD for practice rights.

There are tons, TONS, of people who would sell a kidney for the chance of becoming a DO, and you are lamenting it because of your parents' ideologies.

Sorry dude, my sympathy gauge is on low.
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Nah, its more like , i want to be a DO, just pissed off at parents who don't understand, and I am trying to vent in an anonymous forum, hoping to send the message that one should be a DO or an MD because he chooses to be one.

I am not here lamenting my future DO degree. Its ok, my sympathy gauge is low too bro. lets end it here.
 
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