News Flash -- DO grads to be given choice of DO or MD residency, no USMLE needed

[GScookie]

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I think this is a pretty big step for osteopathic medicine..

If all goes well, this means in 2015, there will be one Match, and DOs can choose from any ACGME accredited residency program, without having to take the USMLE in addition to COMLEX.

http://www.aacom.org/news/latest/Pages/gme.aspx

 

[KinesiologyNerd]

OP:

 

[CopToEM]

I think this is a pretty big step for osteopathic medicine..

If all goes well, this means in 2015, there will be one Match, and DOs can choose from any ACGME accredited residency program, without having to take the USMLE in addition to COMLEX.

http://www.aacom.org/news/latest/Pages/gme.aspx

Actually it doesn't dictate anything in regards to USMLE. Technically now we don't even have to take the USMLE for an MD program. Every program in the nation, basically, accepts the COMLEX and there's a conversion formula to convert the COMLEX score into USMLE. However, that's not the reality as many MD programs are still biased towards the COMLEX.

There does not seem to be any indication that this will inherently change anything. This change has to do with accreditation of residency programs and nothing to do with licensing examinations.

The hope is that with DO members on the ACGME board that eventually DOs will not be strong handed into taking the COMLEX. We will see how that plays out in time.

"COMLEX-USA is regarded by the majority of residency program directors of AOA and ACGME accredited residency programs as an important and useful assessment tool as part of the evaluation of DO residency applicants for their programs."

Source: http://www.osteopathic.org/inside-aoa/Pages/acgme-frequently-asked-questions-students.aspx

 

[FrkyBgStok]

 

[MedPR]

I think this is a pretty big step for osteopathic medicine..

If all goes well, this means in 2015, there will be one Match, and DOs can choose from any ACGME accredited residency program, without having to take the USMLE in addition to COMLEX.

http://www.aacom.org/news/latest/Pages/gme.aspx

Almost made me forget that I have been seeing these threads for the past few months non stop.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[museic]

That made for a good laugh. Thank you OP.

Edit: The confidence is what did it for me. Classic.

 

[GScookie]

Ahh, OK. I am new to this. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[racerwad]

That made for a good laugh. Thank you OP.

Edit: The confidence is what did it for me. Classic.

Agreed. I like it.

He's got the internet now and he's proud of it!

 

[GScookie]

This pretty much sums it up.

 

[racerwad]

This pretty much sums it up.

You're being a good sport. Trust me, you weren't the only one super-excited about this news.

 

[hallowmann]

OP:

nicely done.

No worries OP, just be sure to keep your eyes open, so you stay on top of what's going on.

 

[Goro]

A residency director told me yesterday that about ~90% of residency directors will be fine with COMLEX only, and ~10% will refuse to accept COMLEX only.

I think this is a pretty big step for osteopathic medicine..

If all goes well, this means in 2015, there will be one Match, and DOs can choose from any ACGME accredited residency program, without having to take the USMLE in addition to COMLEX.

http://www.aacom.org/news/latest/Pages/gme.aspx

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

A residency director told me yesterday that about ~90% of residency directors will be fine with COMLEX only, and ~10% will refuse to accept COMLEX only.

I think many people have mentioned on here that most Residency directors don't know how to read or convert COMLEX scores. I.e how one residency director told a DO student they think a 600 is the equal of a 200 on the USMLE.

 

[cliquesh]

I think many people have mentioned on here that most Residency directors don't know how to read or convert COMLEX scores. I.e how one residency director told a DO student they think a 600 is the equal of a 200 on the USMLE.

Yeah, at least from my experience, they have no idea how to interpret the comlex. I even met a DO program director of an Acgme residency that had no idea what a good comlex score was and he didnt care to know. You really need to take the usmle if you expect a fair shot. Most Acgme Anesthesia residencies have a 220 usmle (47th percentile) or a 600 comlex (90th percentile) cut off.

 

[SilverCat]

So when will DOs have the option of taking either the USMLE or the COMPLEX?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

So when will DOs have the option of taking either the USMLE or the COMPLEX?

Not yet. But chances are eventually...

 

[Oo Cipher oO]

So when will DOs have the option of taking either the USMLE or the COMPLEX?

COMLEX, people.

No, as of right now (and probably the foreseeable future) all DO students will have to pass the COMLEX in order to graduate. It is optional to take the USMLE. Whether one should take just one, both, only the first step of the board exams is a highly debated topic.

 

[Oo Cipher oO]

Not yet. But chances are eventually...

eh...I'd be surprised if that changed. The DO establishment likes the differences the COMLEX offers vs the USMLE. If you haven't learned by now they don't think about whats necessarily easiest or best for the students but what is best for the DO profession as they see it.

 

[Skeeks]

OP:

this.... was a great post

 

[as1212559]

inb4 timemachi....

too late.