My girlfriend thinks DOs have some sort of stigma

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qev

qev

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Put it this way, shes not going to stop me from applying to DO schools (right now I think I'd rather go to PCOM than Drexel where I'm doing a post-bacc) but she seems to think I'll be thought less of by others and thinks shes just trying to look out for whats best for me.

How can I convince her otherwise? I know she'll accept me regardless of going to an allopathic school or osteopathic school, she'd just rather go to an allopathic school herself and thinks I should go to one too.
 
qev said:
Put it this way, shes not going to stop me from applying to DO schools (right now I think I'd rather go to PCOM than Drexel where I'm doing a post-bacc) but she seems to think I'll be thought less of by others and thinks shes just trying to look out for whats best for me.

How can I convince her otherwise? I know she'll accept me regardless of going to an allopathic school or osteopathic school, she'd just rather go to an allopathic school herself and thinks I should go to one too.
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I dont think youre ready for medical school.

If you are concerned about whether or not your girlfriend "will accept you" if you go to a DO school then you sure as hell arent ready for the commitment and maturity it takes to become a doctor.

Pick something else...PCOM doesnt want whiners. 👍
 
Who does she think will look down on you... family? Strangers? Doctors? Does she have her hand on the pulse of all of these groups, therefore being in the position of telling you what your future will be like? No.

I'll echo JP's statement.... this is lame on all accounts.👎
 
Sometimes I think everyone on SDN is a troll- it is scary that people actually make posts like this.
 
qev said:
Put it this way, shes not going to stop me from applying to DO schools (right now I think I'd rather go to PCOM than Drexel where I'm doing a post-bacc) but she seems to think I'll be thought less of by others and thinks shes just trying to look out for whats best for me.

How can I convince her otherwise? I know she'll accept me regardless of going to an allopathic school or osteopathic school, she'd just rather go to an allopathic school herself and thinks I should go to one too.
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Well, my main concern, if I were in your position, would be how I (meaning you) would feel about attending an osteopathic medical school and how I would feel about becoming a DO. If you feel in alignment with moving forward in that direction, then do it. If not, choose another path. In the end, your own internal alignment is what matters; do what is best for YOU. What your GF thinks and does is more about HER than you. In other words, you don't really need to convince her of anything, just yourself. It is about your own clarity.

Shift from an external reference point to an internal one. If your GF's thoughts on the matter are just a reflection of your own internal doubts and fears, how could you address and resolve them?
 
Seriously, shes probably right in that DOs are looked down upon by some, but who gives a damn?? Honestly, we're in an age where that sort of thing matters less and less. On my team for Neurology rotation, both our attending and resident were DOs, as was the 4th year doing her elective, and they sure as hell knew ALOT more than I do! So I say, screw people and their superficial judgments. Do what you feel is right.
 
Tell her to get back into the kitchen and leave you alone .... J/K😀. But seriously, you are the one applying to DO schools, not her, and it's your decision. You are going to be a Doctor, and if that is what you want to be; letters behind your name really shouldn't stop you from doing it. If it really bugs you, get as much info on osteopathic medicine as you can (check the match lists here, the DO vs MD threads, etc) and just answer her questions.
 
qev said:
Put it this way, shes not going to stop me from applying to DO schools (right now I think I'd rather go to PCOM than Drexel where I'm doing a post-bacc) but she seems to think I'll be thought less of by others and thinks shes just trying to look out for whats best for me.

How can I convince her otherwise? I know she'll accept me regardless of going to an allopathic school or osteopathic school, she'd just rather go to an allopathic school herself and thinks I should go to one too.
Click to expand...

Seriously...think about finding a new girlfriend. If she feels this way now...then she will probably always feel this way. It seems maybe this is her passive way of telling you that she will be looking down on you if you become a DO..and that she wont respect you as much. Truly I dont know her but that comment in general is extremely immature and very ignorant. Do some soul searching before you ask her to marry you...seriously.
 
dang...this might be the best post i have seen in the last few months.

A+ work.
 
Okay people relax! The DO stigma is an existent phenomenon, but its more of a nuisance than a real hurdle.

OP, first of all, do you actually have an acceptance to both PCOM and Drexel sitting on the table in front of you? Probably not because the cycle for this year is just starting. If you have the means, apply to both allopathic and osteopathic school, check out the schools where you get interviews. When all is said and done, if you have both osteo and allo acceptances in front of you then you can have this crisis. Most likely you will end up choosing your school based on location, curriculum and rotations more so than on whether its DO or MD. You're not forever going to be branded by the stigma monster for just applying.
 
Dr JPH said:
I dont think youre ready for medical school.

If you are concerned about whether or not your girlfriend "will accept you" if you go to a DO school then you sure as hell arent ready for the commitment and maturity it takes to become a doctor.

Pick something else...PCOM doesnt want whiners. 👍
Click to expand...

Your life is over. The holy JP has spoken. I come to these threads just for kicks-I enjoy seeing JP pontificate this big game as if he owns the healthcare system. No doubt he will respond in some sarcastic way, when he really should remain quiet. It's just pathetic.
 
Yea JP was way off.

The OP seems very mature and ready for medical school. I am sure PCOM loves to accept students who have their girlfriends make their decisions for them.

what are you so angry about your going to nyu for med school?
 
sexyman said:
Yea JP was way off.

The OP seems very mature and ready for medical school. I am sure PCOM loves to accept students who have their girlfriends make their decisions for them.

what are you so angry about your going to nyu for med school?
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I'm not angry. Spent the day studying anatomy and needed to blow off some steam.
I just think JP becomes abusive at times, and has an inflated self worth. He shouldn't be telling people they can't go to medical school-it's condescending.
 
Oh please, all of us worried about the "DO stigma" at some point when we started the med school app game. If you say that you never though about it, you're full of it. Eventually the OP will do some research and make his own decision at some point like we all did.

Wow, I guess I never realized that JP had the final say in admissions at PCOM, the greatest DO school in the universe....I guess he's more powerful than I thought.

"Your dumb, no PCOM for you!"...and <*poof*>, just like like that the poor saps loose their shot DO greatness. I wish I could do that <*sigh*>.
 
Ah hem... *cough* Stick to the discussion of the original post, not other members. If you want to direct something personally to another member who posted in this thread, do it by PM.
 
abeytt03 said:
Your life is over. The holy JP has spoken. I come to these threads just for kicks-I enjoy seeing JP pontificate this big game as if he owns the healthcare system. No doubt he will respond in some sarcastic way, when he really should remain quiet. It's just pathetic.
Click to expand...

Awesome ... Feel free to leave as well, just for kicks. You making this thread into something else is 'just pathetic.' The OP asked for advice about his 'girlfriend situation,' not a chance to spark your little battle with JPH. I'm not saying he's right for the way he acts and you are wrong (though he is a surgery resident and has dealt with the entire DO medical process), it's just ironic that you act as if you're taking the high road when you just used this thread to throw a jab and run.
 
qev said:
Put it this way, shes not going to stop me from applying to DO schools (right now I think I'd rather go to PCOM than Drexel where I'm doing a post-bacc) but she seems to think I'll be thought less of by others and thinks shes just trying to look out for whats best for me.

How can I convince her otherwise? I know she'll accept me regardless of going to an allopathic school or osteopathic school, she'd just rather go to an allopathic school herself and thinks I should go to one too.
Click to expand...

Lord, glad I decided to log back on to the Pre-osteo forum to see if anything had changed; it hasn't if you were wondering. I see several people told you to find a new girlfriend, classified you as a troll and recommended that you find a new life goal. Welcome to the world of SDN where the stigma you spoke of exists. You you will find that, in the real world, this stigma isn't as prevalent as SDN-world would make it out to be. Stick to your guns and explain it to her and, for the love of god, never come on SDN to ask a serious question in a forum predominated by pre-meds who know as much information about the medical world as anyone with access to Google.
 
Jamers said:
Lord, glad I decided to log back on to the Pre-osteo forum to see if anything had changed; it hasn't if you were wondering. I see several people told you to find a new girlfriend, classified you as a troll and recommended that you find a new life goal. Welcome to the world of SDN where the stigma you spoke of exists. You you will find that, in the real world, this stigma isn't as prevalent as SDN-world would make it out to be. Stick to your guns and explain it to her and, for the love of god, never come on SDN to ask a serious question in a forum predominated by pre-meds who know as much information about the medical world as anyone with access to Google.
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Google Search: ' My girlfriend thinks DO's have a stigma. I'm really concerned about this. Should I break up with her, or just explain myself??'

.... I understand what you mean 😉
 
abeytt03 said:
Your life is over. The holy JP has spoken. I come to these threads just for kicks-I enjoy seeing JP pontificate this big game as if he owns the healthcare system. No doubt he will respond in some sarcastic way, when he really should remain quiet. It's just pathetic.
Click to expand...

Whats pathetic is an allopathic student lurking in osteopathic forums looking to post a rebuttal to my statements. :laugh:

Go cut some fascia. 😉
 
Personally, my girlfriend makes all the decisions for me. I was going to post a reply earlier, but my girlfriend thought I shouldn't.

What's that hon? Yes, I'll log off now...
 
lol
 
I agree with Jamers, and I think its a shame that you can't discuss certain, relevant issues on SDN in a productive way.

As for your girlfriend, I think many people considering DO have loved ones-whether it be parents, friends, siblings, loved ones, etc.- who try to dissuade them from going DO. My personal experience has taught me that these people eventually will accept your choice. And sometimes in life, when you really want support for a decision from a certain someone, you aren't going to get it and you have to look towards other sources- i.e. other friends, relatives, yourself- to find it.
 
Abobo said:
I agree with Jamers, and I think its a shame that you can't discuss certain, relevant issues on SDN in a productive way.

As for your girlfriend, I think many people considering DO have loved ones-whether it be parents, friends, siblings, loved ones, etc.- who try to dissuade them from going DO. My personal experience has taught me that these people eventually will accept your choice. And sometimes in life, when you really want support for a decision from a certain someone, you aren't going to get it and you have to look towards other sources- i.e. other friends, relatives, yourself- to find it.
Click to expand...

I agree with this post. I find that when you support yourself in your own decision, eventually others, at least those who choose to love us unconditionally, will come along and eventually accept our choices. 👍 That's why I say it's not about your GF; it's about being clear with and accepting your own choice(s).
 
qev said:
Put it this way, shes not going to stop me from applying to DO schools (right now I think I'd rather go to PCOM than Drexel where I'm doing a post-bacc) but she seems to think I'll be thought less of by others and thinks shes just trying to look out for whats best for me.

How can I convince her otherwise? I know she'll accept me regardless of going to an allopathic school or osteopathic school, she'd just rather go to an allopathic school herself and thinks I should go to one too.
Click to expand...

i know you have gotten more than the necessary advice on this as you need....but here is one more piece; once she sees your monthly income, im sure she wont mind what kind of physician you are!
can you imagine, "oh youre just a DO...whoa whats that--a check for 30K?! hey honey...you know i was just kidding"

ps: dont listen to me, i have no idea what DOs make, but i hear there is no salary difference between MDs and DOs.
and to top it off, im sure you could be just as happy making 40K/year so long as you love what you do (and you have enough for the basics).
 
Seriously you should rethink the motives on why you even want to become a doctor. You should mature a little more in reference to what you want to do and think instead of giving a crap about what others who AREN'T in your shoes think. No offense to your GF, but you need to tell her that she doesn't know what she's talking about. You "might" and I do say "might" get looked down upon by some of your idiotic, hard headed, *****ic, colleagues, friends and family members, however at the end of the day you are still a PHYSICIAN no matter what the two friggin letters after your name engraved in your white coat state!! You need to introspectively decide whether you want to become a physician or a BABY who does what others tell him is "best" for them, because if you wont even consider a DO route because of your GF or what other idiot people think then your maturity's not up to standards and you should re-evaluate your life.. Period. Sorry for the flaming, but sometimes things need to be told the way they are without "Beating around the bush"......😉
 
StrengthDoc said:
1. Get a spine.
2. Get a new girlfriend.
3. Get a life.
Click to expand...

Unless she is any combination of being hot, being great in the sack, and being a good cook.


Seriously though, if your girlfriend really gives you grief about DO...dump her ass. It is your career not hers... The stigma question seems to be much more of an issue between premeds or really old guys. Nobody else gives a damn with a few exceptions.
 
Please post pictures of her, so that we have all the facts when we form our opinion
 
Yea were gonna need some pics to evaluate your unique situation (lingerie won't hurt either).
 
qev said:
Put it this way, shes not going to stop me from applying to DO schools (right now I think I'd rather go to PCOM than Drexel where I'm doing a post-bacc) but she seems to think I'll be thought less of by others and thinks shes just trying to look out for whats best for me.

How can I convince her otherwise? I know she'll accept me regardless of going to an allopathic school or osteopathic school, she'd just rather go to an allopathic school herself and thinks I should go to one too.
Click to expand...

this is funny.
 
qev said:
Put it this way, shes not going to stop me from applying to DO schools (right now I think I'd rather go to PCOM than Drexel where I'm doing a post-bacc) but she seems to think I'll be thought less of by others and thinks shes just trying to look out for whats best for me.

How can I convince her otherwise? I know she'll accept me regardless of going to an allopathic school or osteopathic school, she'd just rather go to an allopathic school herself and thinks I should go to one too.
Click to expand...

Let me guess, your girlfriend is one of those all-knowing CNAs? 🙄
 
among the public there is a stigma but in the medical community there isnt as much
 
i disagree with that one. i know so many people who have DOs for physicians and they don't even know it. I don't think the general population checks the wall for a degree in medicine. MDs KNOW DOs are the same, some just have a hard time accepting, but its changing...for the good, of course.
 
tonyrobbins said:
i disagree with that one. i know so many people who have DOs for physicians and they don't even know it. I don't think the general population checks the wall for a degree in medicine. MDs KNOW DOs are the same, some just have a hard time accepting, but its changing...for the good, of course.
Click to expand...

What are you diasgreeing with? One can't have stigma if they have no clue. I still don't think if you told the patient they'd leave or drop that doc as their pcp. When you're bumming around the phonebook it tends to have "Joe Blow DO, FACS, DDS, MBA, MS, MPH, PhD" and whatever other degree thrown to look cool.

As far as the MDs knowing DOs are the same? Not all, particulary with the old guard. The guys in their mid-60s and higher went to medical school when osteopathic were viewed similar to a low end carribean. Classes were overfilled, equipment was crap, and the inferior students went there. Many have changed their tune since that time...but not all. Until I was about 4 or 5 years old my dad refused to allow a DO as my pcp. He had one DO as a partner before who was a horrible doctor and perpetuated his stereotype. Since we moved to the midwest where the concentration of DOs is higher, his viewpoint has changed. Many younger allopathic kids with a superiority complex also give it a stigma, which is probably where it is felt the most. We all like to say "screw you, I'm going to be great doctor" but we nearly all also like to be accepted....when you have some cocky ass who thinks he/she is a better person than you...well, it can wear you down at first. I think defending your degree/education ultimately toughens you up to the few criticisms you'll receive.
 
just got done shadowing a rural ER doc. The patients couldn't care less that he was a DO. They just wanted their cardiac sx/bee sting/otitis media/twisted ankle/back pain/etc. to get better.

And really, who cares what other people think? DOs aren't out of work because they have a DO vs. an MD.

Haven't we had this discussion about 5012 times?
 
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