Need to vent/advice

[rg2o3]

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I know that this has been talked about quite a bit on here, but today I had to answer my siblings questions on the difference between DO/MD. She is not in the medical field so I didn’t even want to venture into OMM etc. I used the DDS/DMD as an example. She continued to insist that DO was a lesser degree and wouldn’t read any articles I would provide that explained it better than I.

So, how do you all handle someone who is so closed-minded?

Again sorry that this might be beating a dead horse, but definitely knew you guys would have experienced something similar.

 

[aladdin11]

Honestly just stop caring what people think. Self worth isnt defined by whether you go to a DO school or an MD school. An MD is not a better human being than a DO.

Who cares if people see DO as lesser, you already know thats not true so it doesnt matter, just do you and focus on why you went to med school, ie to care for others.

 

[TheaterOfTheme]

I know that this has been talked about quite a bit on here, but today I had to answer my siblings questions on the difference between DO/MD. She is not in the medical field so I didn’t even want to venture into OMM etc. I used the DDS/DMD as an example. She continued to insist that DO was a lesser degree and wouldn’t read any articles I would provide that explained it better than I.

So, how do you all handle someone who is so closed-minded?

Again sorry that this might be beating a dead horse, but definitely knew you guys would have experienced something similar.

Yeah, I mean it honestly sux that the osteopathic profession always tries to poise us as magical fascia touchers (you'll see soon enough) who just happen to also be doctors, but if your sis is really that adamant, time will demonstrate the truth. The degree title, public awareness campaigns, and mission statements of all DO bureaucracies are inherently flawed. It's one of the most interesting things to watch, honestly. Like, why couldnt we be called OMD? But that topic has been hashed to death. Just learn fast that most of the time, AOA, COCA, blah blah blah are not very smart people.

 

[Goro]

I know that this has been talked about quite a bit on here, but today I had to answer my siblings questions on the difference between DO/MD. She is not in the medical field so I didn’t even want to venture into OMM etc. I used the DDS/DMD as an example. She continued to insist that DO was a lesser degree and wouldn’t read any articles I would provide that explained it better than I.

So, how do you all handle someone who is so closed-minded?

Again sorry that this might be beating a dead horse, but definitely knew you guys would have experienced something similar.

Dx: She sounds like a typical pre-med.

DDx: jealousy at her older sib going to be a doctor.

Rx: ignore her. Once you're a resident, you can smack her upside the head. Doing it now won't do anything.

 

[Mass Effect]

So, how do you all handle someone who is so closed-minded?

I ignore them and remind myself that in a sea of MD colleagues, I was chief resident and matched into an Ivy fellowship.

 

[rg2o3]

Dx: She sounds like a typical pre-med.

DDx: jealousy at her older sib going to be a doctor.

Rx: ignore her. Once you're a resident, you can smack her upside the head. Doing it now won't do anything.

Thanks Goro. Always have sound advice.

 

[rg2o3]

I ignore them and remind myself that in a sea of MD colleagues, I was chief resident and matched into an Ivy fellowship.

Fellowship in which specialty? If you don't mind me asking!

 

[deleted407021]

Show her Dr. Polk, NASA Chief Health and Medical Officer.

 

[DocWinter]

Lesser degree in what way?

Most DOs match ACGME, which means MDs and DOs get the same residency training. Soon, they all will. Held to the same standards in boards. I'll take the same CREOGs as my MD colleagues. And get the same paycheck. And if I want to treat with OMM, I get to bill that also, all while benefiting the patient.

Don't try to convince people; have them try to convince you. If they can't, just tell them you don't see the logic and shrug... it drives jealously batty.

 

[UnoMas]

I know that this has been talked about quite a bit on here, but today I had to answer my siblings questions on the difference between DO/MD. She is not in the medical field so I didn’t even want to venture into OMM etc. I used the DDS/DMD as an example. She continued to insist that DO was a lesser degree and wouldn’t read any articles I would provide that explained it better than I.

So, how do you all handle someone who is so closed-minded?

Again sorry that this might be beating a dead horse, but definitely knew you guys would have experienced something similar.

She's trolling you bro. The perfect response to trolls is "lol, k!"

 

[rg2o3]

Thanks for the responses. I finally just laughed and sent her a few similar links like the one above. I also gave her the kind reminder that her children's pediatrician is a DO and said that she should bring these same concerns to him at their next appointment.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

I know that this has been talked about quite a bit on here, but today I had to answer my siblings questions on the difference between DO/MD. She is not in the medical field so I didn’t even want to venture into OMM etc. I used the DDS/DMD as an example. She continued to insist that DO was a lesser degree and wouldn’t read any articles I would provide that explained it better than I.

So, how do you all handle someone who is so closed-minded?

Again sorry that this might be beating a dead horse, but definitely knew you guys would have experienced something similar.

Have her google the median DO salary. Then ask if that's close enough to a doctor for her.

 

[kelminak]

Thanks for the responses. I finally just laughed and sent her a few similar links like the one above. I also gave her the kind reminder that her children's pediatrician is a DO and said that she should bring these same concerns to him at their next appointment.

Lmao holy ****

 

[deleted610572]

Thanks for the responses. I finally just laughed and sent her a few similar links like the one above. I also gave her the kind reminder that her children's pediatrician is a DO and said that she should bring these same concerns to him at their next appointment.

If this happened then she never noticed that the pediatrician was one. Just laugh and walk away. You’ll eventually identify with your specialty not MD or DO and it won’t matter. I never understood why people let it get under their skin. I’ll laugh all the way to the bank to cash my lesser degree pay check.

 

[rg2o3]

Have her google the median DO salary. Then ask if that's close enough to a doctor for her.

I was going to go there but I didn’t want to stoop to her level and attack her

If this happened then she never noticed that the pediatrician was one. Just laugh and walk away. You’ll eventually identify with your specialty not MD or DO and it won’t matter. I never understood why people let it get under their skin. I’ll laugh all the way to the bank to cash my lesser degree pay check.

I was definitely thinking the same. She wasn’t aware and when I said that, the conversation ended quickly.

 

[deleted610572]

I was going to go there but I didn’t want to stoop to her level and attack her


I was definitely thinking the same. She wasn’t aware and when I said that, the conversation ended quickly.

Was that the last conversation you had?

 

[rg2o3]

Was that the last conversation you had?

Yes. I won’t see her again until this weekend.

 

[deleted610572]

Yes.

Then one of two things are bound to happen:

1. You opened her eyes and she’s done with it.
2. She’s looking for a new pediatrician.

Laugh either way

 

[rg2o3]

Then one of two things are bound to happen:

1. You opened her eyes and she’s done with it.
2. She’s looking for a new pediatrician.

Laugh either way

I think it will open her eyes. All of my siblings use the same pediatrician and he works at the same office that we all went to when we were children.

 

[Ho0v-man]

You could also pull up some links showing the DO residency directors at acgme programs and show that these folks w lesser degrees are somehow able to train those with superior degrees. IIRC the anesthesiology res director at Emory is/was a DO, some legend in interventional pain from a PMR background, some surgeon generals. That’s just off the top of my head. I think Goro had a thread full of DOs in academic medicine a while back.

 

[rg2o3]

You could also pull up some links showing the DO residency directors at acgme programs and show that these folks w lesser degrees are somehow able to train those with superior degrees. IIRC the anesthesiology res director at Emory is/was a DO, some legend in interventional pain from a PMR background, some surgeon generals. That’s just off the top of my head. I think Goro had a thread full of DOs in academic medicine a while back.

Have a family party this weekend and if it’s brought up at all, I’ll be sure to point it all out.

 

[Redpancreas]

I know that this has been talked about quite a bit on here, but today I had to answer my siblings questions on the difference between DO/MD. She is not in the medical field so I didn’t even want to venture into OMM etc. I used the DDS/DMD as an example. She continued to insist that DO was a lesser degree and wouldn’t read any articles I would provide that explained it better than I.

So, how do you all handle someone who is so closed-minded?

Again sorry that this might be beating a dead horse, but definitely knew you guys would have experienced something similar.

“Holding a grudge is like letting live in your head rent-free.”

Let go of the inferiority complex. Let go of the inevitable need to compensate. Let go of any anger or insecurity you feel and accept it as what an outsider would think. It will only waste energy and make you pursue things you don’t truly want. Just focus on your individual goals and what you need to do to fulfill them. Also long as you’re not planning on applying to any surgical subspecialties, all your goals are ahead of you and you have the ability to achieve them even if it takes a little bit more work. Importantly, you are a physician and not even the most anti-DO posted here (where we are all anonymous) believes that a DO is not a physician or doesn’t believe a DO has the potential to be an outstanding physician. Where the discrimination comes in is around application seasons when tensions and self-entitlement is high.

 

[rg2o3]

“Holding a grudge is like letting live in your head rent-free.”

Let go of the inferiority complex. Let go of the inevitable need to compensate. Let go of any anger or insecurity you feel and accept it as what an outsider would think. It will only waste energy and make you pursue things you don’t truly want. Just focus on your individual goals and what you need to do to fulfill them. Also long as you’re not planning on applying to any surgical subspecialties, all your goals are ahead of you and you have the ability to achieve them even if it takes a little bit more work. Importantly, you are a physician and not even the most anti-DO posted here (where we are all anonymous) believes that a DO is not a physician or doesn’t believe a DO has the potential to be an outstanding physician. Where the discrimination comes in is around application seasons when tensions and self-entitlement is high.

Great response. Totally agree. I personally would be honored to be a physician in any specialty. I have no goals of any surgical subs. I do have goals outside of FM, but if it came down to me having to choose a specialty outside of my goals, I’d still be so honored.

 

[QueenJames]

I know that this has been talked about quite a bit on here, but today I had to answer my siblings questions on the difference between DO/MD. She is not in the medical field so I didn’t even want to venture into OMM etc. I used the DDS/DMD as an example. She continued to insist that DO was a lesser degree and wouldn’t read any articles I would provide that explained it better than I.

So, how do you all handle someone who is so closed-minded?

Again sorry that this might be beating a dead horse, but definitely knew you guys would have experienced something similar.

First of all.... tell her to get into A MEDICAL SCHOOL in the US first before talking ****.

Second of all... if she asks you for medical advice once ur a doc... you tell her "I don't think my 'lesser' degree is up to par to treat you".

No offense... and yes... I am going there... but it's cause of dummies that act like and think like her (in regards to not being able to see past certain facts) we got a orange-cheetoh-complexioned ***** running this country.

Stupid.

 

[rg2o3]

First of all.... tell her to get into A MEDICAL SCHOOL in the US first before talking ****.

Second of all... if she asks you for medical advice once ur a doc... you tell her "I don't think my 'lesser' degree is up to par to treat you".

No offense... and yes... I am going there... but it's cause of dummies that act like and think like her (in regards to not being able to see past certain facts) we got a orange-cheetoh-complexioned ***** running this country.

Stupid.

Agreed!!!

And your posts never fail to amuse

 

[SLC]

No offense... and yes... I am going there... but it's cause of dummies that act like and think like her (in regards to not being able to see past certain facts) we got a orange-cheetoh-complexioned ***** running this country.

Stupid.

Well that, and the fact that his opposition was so awful too.

For the first time in my life I wrote in someone who wasn’t running (my wife) for president.

I couldn’t hold my nose and take part in electing either of those idiots.

 

[SurgDoc95]

Well that, and the fact that his opposition was so awful too.

For the first time in my life I wrote in someone who wasn’t running (my wife) for president.

I couldn’t hold my nose and take part in electing either of those idiots.

I think its hilarious when people try to act like Hillary was such a better choice than Trump. Neither choice was ideal and for all the good/bad Trump does you can bet she would've done the same if not worse except with less tweeting

 

[austintr]

I, for one, voted for Joe Exotic.

 

[Scrubs101]

I think its hilarious when people try to act like Hillary was such a better choice than Trump. Neither choice was ideal and for all the good/bad Trump does you can bet she would've done the same if not worse except with less tweeting

I mean a career politician that knows how to actually behave and be professional in public, I will take over that imbecile anytime. Trump has already had his version of benghazi (yet no movie made about it...) and pence went through a similar email scandal.

I was not a fan of HRC at all, and am by no mean trying to imply she was a good choice. But better? By far. She actually understands geopolitics, and can read above a 5th grade level. IMO there's strong double standards. Could you imagine what would happen if HRC or Obama had committed any of the 100s of "scandals" trump has? Too be fair we've all become pretty desensitized to the ridiculousness by now, and have settled for mediocrity.

Sorry OP/Mods couldn't resist.

 

[gyngyn]

Let's get back on topic, folks.

 

[LChristmas]

OP, good on your for trying to explain the difference. I'm still avoiding the conversation with my parents. Not out of worry that they'll think it's inferior, but I just don't have to energy to try to figure out how to explain, "It's the same, but different." So, I just carry on.

But seriously though, does anyone out there have a good elevator speech for "What is a DO?" and "What is OMM?" They tried to teach us a good spiel in first year but it didn't really seem effective. Any way that you've explained it and had someone respond with, "Oh okay, that makes sense. I understand the legend of AT Still!"

 

[rg2o3]

OP, good on your for trying to explain the difference. I'm still avoiding the conversation with my parents. Not out of worry that they'll think it's inferior, but I just don't have to energy to try to figure out how to explain, "It's the same, but different." So, I just carry on.

But seriously though, does anyone out there have a good elevator speech for "What is a DO?" and "What is OMM?" They tried to teach us a good spiel in first year but it didn't really seem effective. Any way that you've explained it and had someone respond with, "Oh okay, that makes sense. I understand the legend of AT Still!"

Hah. Good ole AT. They’re was actually a thread in here maybe a week or two ago talking about it. It was labeled something like “how do you explain OMM”

 

[smukke]

OP, good on your for trying to explain the difference. I'm still avoiding the conversation with my parents. Not out of worry that they'll think it's inferior, but I just don't have to energy to try to figure out how to explain, "It's the same, but different." So, I just carry on.

But seriously though, does anyone out there have a good elevator speech for "What is a DO?" and "What is OMM?" They tried to teach us a good spiel in first year but it didn't really seem effective. Any way that you've explained it and had someone respond with, "Oh okay, that makes sense. I understand the legend of AT Still!"

Ideal world (at least in the AOAs dreamland)/COMLEX PE:

"A DO is an osteopathic physician, we're just like the MDs except that we receive extra training in osteopathic manipulative medicine"
"I'm an osteopathic physician and one of the things I'm trained in is performing osteopathic manipulative medicine. It's basically manipulating and moving your body to help it heal itself. If you've ever been to physical therapy many of the techniques we use are similar, things such as relieving muscle spasms and improving lymphatic flow, which is what your body uses to remove toxins and leftover stuff from metabolism. I can also teach you some simple things like stretches you can do at home that may help with your condition."

(I think it's ok, it got me through the PE, don't think I've ever used it in real life though and doubt that I would)

Real world:
(Internal dialogue: thank god, they don't know and won't ask for any OMM) "It's just another doctor degree, we do all the same stuff as MDs and get the same training"

 

[smukke]

Have a family party this weekend and if it’s brought up at all, I’ll be sure to point it all out.

Just show up in scrubs

 

[Ho0v-man]

Just show up in scrubs

And a white coat...with a stethoscope...and the staff of asclepius.

 

[smukke]

And a white coat...with a stethoscope...and the staff of asclepius.

Bonus points for hitting his sister with the staff.