Need help to convince my family!

[Ewt812]

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I am a junior in college right now and planning to apply in the next cycle. I have a 3.65 Overall gpa and 3.56 science gpa. My stats isn't that great for MD acceptance, so I think it would be wise for me to apply broadly to MD schools + to many DO schools. To be honest, I don't care whether I am a MD or DO as long as I am doctor, then I am fine with it.

However, my parents are concerning with DO schools, because one of their friend who is a physician told them that if I go to DO schools there would be less chance for me to work in a local hospital, and I would most likely have to start my own clinic to make a living. (?)

I have been on SDN for a while, so I know people say that DO=MD... blah blah blah and they should share the same job opportunities. Then why in the world would my parent's friend told them that? Assuming my parent's friend doesn't know crap about DO school, how should I convince my parents that I would find a job as a DO? Is there any stats that can back this up?

Thank you.

 

[st2205]

There's nothing you can say or do as they will be suspicious and tune it out. Despite my mom being familiar with the fact that I had been accepted into DO programs, she still acted like it was something ground-breaking when she read a short exerpt from a woman's health magazines about DOs being physicians. I wouldn't stress because you can do what everybody here will suggest you do in educating your parents, but it's likely the guy on the bus who heard about a DO that was on Oprah is going to have more credibility, knowledge and experience than you have.

 

[lftbndlbrnchblk]

Unless your local hospital is not in the US, I can't see how there isn't a DO already there somewhere. Just check their website, show your parents, and go be a doctor.

 

[Bacchus]

Tell your parents to rely less on hearsay and more on facts. If you're paying for school yourself, tell them to go to a proverbial Hell.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Part of growing up is making your own decisions. If your parents aren't planning to pay for your medical school, then really they should have little weight on your decision.

 

[MightyMoose]

I'm just wondering how many similar threads came up when you tried to post this...


Check here, this was posted 22 days ago, there was another a few days before that, and so, and so on...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=779114


BTW, after reading your question, you're really asking us to convince you so that you can in turn convince your parents... Do some research.

 

[Ewt812]

I'm just wondering how many similar threads came up when you tried to post this...


Check here, this was posted 22 days ago, there was another a few days before that, and so, and so on...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=779114


BTW, after reading your question, you're really asking us to convince you so that you can in turn convince your parents... Do some research.

Thanks for the input! This is really hepeful!

 

[guitarguy77]

My dad is an MD and is excited that I'm going to DO school.

 

[Ewt812]

My parents are paying for med school, so I have to convince them to go to DO school 🙁

Are there any stats(official) that show majority of DO are hired in local hospital rather than starting their own clinic?

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Bravetown]

http://www.ehow.com/about_6627165_physicians_-practice-vs_-hospital-employed.html

About half of all practicing physicians (MD and DO) are in private practice that's down from 66% (that's from the article). I've found some other articles on the subject, but they're about ten years old and a lot has change since then. Your parents are probably right though most DOs end up going into private practice, but that does not mean that you will have to open up a clinic fresh out of residency. Most DOs I know started off in other established physicians offices or worked for DO run hospitals. And there are a lot of perks for physicians who go into private practice: more money, better hours, see patients when you want, and you don't have some a-hole checking up on you (boss 🙂 ). I'm assuming your parents are afraid that you won't be able to build a client base as a DO, what you can tell them is people are living longer, people are looking for physicians that treat them like people not symptoms, and there has never been a greater need for physicians. I'll also add that I've never met a doctor in either private practice, a clinic, a hospital, MD or DO that did not live well above his/her means.

 

[Bravetown]

.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

My parents are paying for med school, so I have to convince them to go to DO school 🙁

Are there any stats(official) that show majority of DO are hired in local hospital rather than starting their own clinic?

Thanks for the replies!

In that case look up local hospital websites and thumb through physician profiles. You are bound to find DOs. Even here in the NW where there aren't a ton they probably make up ~15% of our hospital physicians. Which should be a high enough percentage for your family

 

[Bacchus]

You could pay for medical school yourself...just saying. When an outside source funds your education that isn't in terms of loans you sign, you are at their mercy usually.

 

[kuanileqa]

You could pay for medical school yourself...just saying. When an outside source funds your education that isn't in terms of loans you sign, you are at their mercy usually.

Sounds like your dreams are being dictated by the availability of somebody else's money. You really need to reconsider some decisions here. Either cut the umbilical cord and do what YOU really want to do (heaven forbid you might have to pay for it yourself), or do what will make your parents happy so they will pay for it.
*Remember, if your parents pay for medical school, you will most likely be the exception to the rule--the majority of med students pay for their own education on their own volition.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I wouldn't fully jump the gun on "do what you want" if your parents are offering to pay for your education.

Just try to convince/inform your parents about the D.O. profession. Show them facts and figures as well as literature. Afterwards if they are still dead set against you going D.O. then there is probably a bit of closed minded ignorance at play.

Only after attempting to educate them would I say "cut the umbilical cord"

 

[kuanileqa]

I wouldn't fully jump the gun on "do what you want" if your parents are offering to pay for your education.

Just try to convince/inform your parents about the D.O. profession. Show them facts and figures as well as literature. Afterwards if they are still dead set against you going D.O. then there is probably a bit of closed minded ignorance at play.

Only after attempting to educate them would I say "cut the umbilical cord"

🙂, this is much more logical advice. There is nothing wrong with your parents paying for your education, however, don't let it dictate your life decisions.

 

[MightyMoose]

My parents are paying for med school, so I have to convince them to go to DO school 🙁

Are there any stats(official) that show majority of DO are hired in local hospital rather than starting their own clinic?

Thanks for the replies!

Your situation will become very easy to figure out when you apply. If you don't get into an MD program and do get into a DO program you're parents will decide if they are willing to pay for it or not. Not much else you can do there. I'm sure they will still pay for it, because at that point it's either doctor or no doctor...

http://www.ehow.com/about_6627165_physicians_-practice-vs_-hospital-employed.html

About half of all practicing physicians (MD and DO) are in private practice that's down from 66% (that's from the article). I've found some other articles on the subject, but they're about ten years old and a lot has change since then. Your parents are probably right though most DOs end up going into private practice, but that does not mean that you will have to open up a clinic fresh out of residency. Most DOs I know started off in other established physicians offices or worked for DO run hospitals. And there are a lot of perks for physicians who go into private practice: more money, better hours, see patients when you want, and you don't have some a-hole checking up on you (boss 🙂 ). I'm assuming your parents are afraid that you won't be able to build a client base as a DO, what you can tell them is people are living longer, people are looking for physicians that treat them like people not symptoms, and there has never been a greater need for physicians. I'll also add that I've never met a doctor in either private practice, a clinic, a hospital, MD or DO that did not live well above his/her means.

Most physicians, both MD's and DO's, are in private practice.

 

[Bravetown]

MightyMoose normally I would agree with that statement, but looking at 3 other sites besides that ehow one and they are all saying the same thing that around half are in private practice. The other half either work in hospitals, hospital run clinics, or for the government. I'm not entirely convinced about these statistics either considering physicians in hospital run clinics have their own practice and couldn't that be considered private practice, but I guess there association with the hospital puts them in the other category.

 

[jeffro1080]

Sounds like your dreams are being dictated by the availability of somebody else's money. You really need to reconsider some decisions here. Either cut the umbilical cord and do what YOU really want to do (heaven forbid you might have to pay for it yourself), or do what will make your parents happy so they will pay for it.
*Remember, if your parents pay for medical school, you will most likely be the exception to the rule--the majority of med students pay for their own education on their own volition.

he never said that he preferred DO. he just doesn't want to reapply if he doesn't get MD.

 

[MightyMoose]

MightyMoose normally I would agree with that statement, but looking at 3 other sites besides that ehow one and they are all saying the same thing that around half are in private practice. The other half either work in hospitals, hospital run clinics, or for the government. I'm not entirely convinced about these statistics either considering physicians in hospital run clinics have their own practice and couldn't that be considered private practice, but I guess there association with the hospital puts them in the other category.

Exactly. I agree. I think a large number of physicians working in certain departments in the hospital are with a group and are not employed by the hospital. Although, I think the number in private practice varies quite a bit depending on specialty.

Although, I did come across this article by the NY Times which seems to show that more doctors are electing to be employed by hospitals rather than their own private practice. The graph on the left side is pretty telling...

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/26/health/policy/26docs.html

 

[drpierre]

First I would ask your parent's friend where they got their information from because it will probably be very easy to disprove his/her facts. Also, I wouldn't fall into the trap of thinking that your grades are too low for MD schools but okay for DO's. because youll be accepted to the low tier DO schools.

 

[KTownGT]

All I had to do to show that a DO degree is an equivalent degree to an MD was to show a few doctors they've known for years were in fact DOs.

Guess some parents aren't so accepting.

 

[MedStudentWanna]

If you're paying for school yourself, tell them to go to a proverbial Hell.

That's pretty harsh.

 

[denco88]

I guess my parents care and trust me enough to know I can make the best decision for myself.

But if they didn't, I would trust myself to know and if they refused to pay (I am paying, but if I was in your situation) I would take out loans like everyone else. Especially if you can't get into MD schools.. Its your life and your dream.

 

[drctother]

That's pretty harsh.

Its harsh the way he said it, but its true. I don't understand how some students wont go into DO because their parents done approve. There is thing called being an adult, and it starts when university starts. Students who make entire career decisions based off their parents shows A) they aren't mature enough for med B) they don't have their own voice and C) they are insecure

That being said, I am not saying the OP is like this, I dont know the OP personally.

OP: show your parents match lists from DO schools along with the AACOMA website which states licensing, practicing etc. It shouldn't be hard, its YOUR life choice. Also, if parents (in general) dont approve of their kids choices, they are lousy parents

 

[Dr Oops]

One thing you could do is tell them that instead of medical school, youre going to use the money they have for your education as a loan to open up your own internet porn website (any venture will do just make sure it has something to do with the internet). Get lots of hookers to come to the house so they think your serious. buy lots of web cams too.

Then they will beg you to go to the DO school, you wont even have to convince them!

 

[MiDoc2]

I understand that parents sometimes have a hard time accepting the fact their children are adults. I agree with MightyMoose...apply broadly (including DO schools) and when you start getting acceptances you can have the conversation with your parents then. Who knows at that point they may have a different outlook.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I think some of the comments here have been a bit harsh, but I must admit in the past I've also been one to say similar comments. Since then, I've thought about it a bit more. If the person in question wants to convince their parents, it doesn't mean they won't go into DO, take loans, be an adult, etc. upon an unsuccessful attempt to convince their parents of the equality. Maybe it just means the student really wants their parents to understand or is doing the smart thing of trying to convince their parents because he can get a free education that way.

OP - My mom at first didn't want me to go to a DO program because she thought it would be like being a lesser doctor. I showed her the curriculum was the same and that there are many successful DO's out there and that they don't earn a penny less. I then told her my dream job was to be a doctor and my self-esteem is such that the opinion of a few nay sayers can't change who I am and how I feel about myself. She agreed that she was wrong in her ways and after looking into it told me she liked DO more because of the holistic approach because she feels too many doctors are "cold" to their patients.

 

[Eik Ooc]

Ewt812,

Convincing your parents will be excellent practice for your medical school interviews next year. They care about you and want the best for you. Present a good and evidenced argument. They'll change their minds.

Good Luck!

 

[CopToEM]

Shock your parents. Find a local doctor who is a DO and chances are they didn't even know he was a DO.

It's like that here locally. I'll tell someone that I'm only applying to osteopathic medical schools and they'll say something, usually, like, "Oh, you're not going to be an MD?" I then rattle of a list of local physicians who are DOs and they get wide-eyed because they never knew there was a difference.

 

[willen101383]

Shock your parents. Find a local doctor who is a DO and chances are they didn't even know he was a DO.

It's like that here locally. I'll tell someone that I'm only applying to osteopathic medical schools and they'll say something, usually, like, "Oh, you're not going to be an MD?" I then rattle of a list of local physicians who are DOs and they get wide-eyed because they never knew there was a difference.

This strategy works well when this DO ends up being your kids pediatrician for the last 20 years and nobody knew...which was the case with me. 🙂 My parents never cared and have always supported my DO choice 100 percent (even my MD dad). Hes proud as hell to have a son who is going to be a physician regardless of title. He has colleagues up in NYS who went to PCOM and he cant speak more highly of.

 

[cliquesh]

My parents don't really understand what DOs are, and my mom cannot even say "osteopathic." Oh well, they pay my tuition and ****, so who cares, right? 😕

 

[Terpskins99]

Shock your parents. Find a local doctor who is a DO and chances are they didn't even know he was a DO.

It's like that here locally. I'll tell someone that I'm only applying to osteopathic medical schools and they'll say something, usually, like, "Oh, you're not going to be an MD?" I then rattle of a list of local physicians who are DOs and they get wide-eyed because they never knew there was a difference.

I second this.

Look up the physician directory for your local hospitals. You might be surprised at how many DO's are on staff.

 

[theone1979]

I have a suggestion. It might be a little too subtle, but it's worth a try.

Get your parents together and then calmly say this:
"I'm going to be a ****ing doctor.....A ****ing DOCTOR ok?"

Give it a whirl.

 

[CopToEM]

I have a suggestion. It might be a little too subtle, but it's worth a try.

Get your parents together and then calmly say this:
"I'm going to be a ****ing doctor.....A ****ing DOCTOR ok?"

Give it a whirl.

If I could hug you I would. That's the greatest thing I've read all week.

 

[theone1979]

If I could hug you I would. That's the greatest thing I've read all week.

Ha. I'm glad you liked it. Instead of a hug, you could pray for me to get offered seats from the several waitlists I'm on.

 

[CopToEM]

Ha. I'm glad you liked it. Instead of a hug, you could pray for me to get offered seats from the several waitlists I'm on.

If 1979 is your birth year I'll extend an offer of both a hug and prayer for acceptances. We're not getting any younger are we man?

 

[theone1979]

If 1979 is your birth year I'll extend an offer of both a hug and prayer for acceptances. We're not getting any younger are we man?

Yes...unfortunately 1979 is my birth year, and you are quite right that we are not getting any younger. How old are you?

Fortunately I have received an acceptance (Touro-NV), so I will be starting med school no matter what in the fall (hell yeah), but there are a few schools for which I am on the waitlist and would love to be offered a spot.

How about you? Any acceptances or good news?

 

[theone1979]

.