No difference, BUT.....

[EReze]

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I recently spoke to a young MD that has been practicing for about 5 years now. They told me that, in a hospital setting, there is no real difference a doctors between MD's and DO's, but it is harder for a DO to get a residency in a specialty residency like Emergency Medicine. Now, I want to be a DO, I didn't even apply to Allopathic Schools, but it is a little scary to hear that. We learn all the same things as MD's plus OMM, we have to bust our butts to take the boards twice COMLEX and USMLE! After all of that, we probably know more, but it is still hard to get a competitive residency? Why should it be any harder for us than for allopathic student. Everyone works just as hard and a good candidate is a good candidate regardless? So why the conspiracy? And this is in NJ-- and urban environment. Is it even harder in the Midwest or in the South? I was kind of upset hearing this.

 

[robo77]

Do not worry about what other people say about DO's. It is very possible to get a good residency, especially EM, which is not that competitive.

 

[smc927]

I recently spoke to a young MD that has been practicing for about 5 years now. They told me that, in a hospital setting, there is no real difference a doctors between MD's and DO's, but it is harder for a DO to get a residency in a specialty residency like Emergency Medicine. Now, I want to be a DO, I didn't even apply to Allopathic Schools, but it is a little scary to hear that. We learn all the same things as MD's plus OMM, we have to bust our butts to take the boards twice COMLEX and USMLE! After all of that, we probably know more, but it is still hard to get a competitive residency? Why should it be any harder for us than for allopathic student. Everyone works just as hard and a good candidate is a good candidate regardless? So why the conspiracy? And this is in NJ-- and urban environment. Is it even harder in the Midwest or in the South? I was kind of upset hearing this.

We have a two hospitals within a few miles of my home. The E.R. in one is almost entirely D.O.s. The other has mostly M.D.s but many D.O.s.

 

[hotlikebutter]

think about it. the people in power like seeing their own kind for their residencies. especially the really indoctrinated residencies such as surgery. thats why you experience difficulty in these types of residencies, not because DO's are less knowledgeable. it's also the same reason you see mostly white male surgeons, cause those are the people running the show right now in these programs. but dont worry, the tide is changing and more and more DO's are entering specialties and more and more younger MD's realize title means nothing.

 

[Nate]

The chairman of the ED at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ is a DO and so is atleast half of the other ER docs. In the end it is you against you.

 

[eadysx]

I recently spoke to a young MD that has been practicing for about 5 years now. They told me that, in a hospital setting, there is no real difference a doctors between MD's and DO's, but it is harder for a DO to get a residency in a specialty residency like Emergency Medicine. Now, I want to be a DO, I didn't even apply to Allopathic Schools, but it is a little scary to hear that. We learn all the same things as MD's plus OMM, we have to bust our butts to take the boards twice COMLEX and USMLE! After all of that, we probably know more, but it is still hard to get a competitive residency? Why should it be any harder for us than for allopathic student. Everyone works just as hard and a good candidate is a good candidate regardless? So why the conspiracy? And this is in NJ-- and urban environment. Is it even harder in the Midwest or in the South? I was kind of upset hearing this.

If it is EM you are worried about, have a look here: http://www.emramatch.org/member_browse_prog_master.asp
Select a program, 3rd box down on the left will tell you how many DO's have been residents there and how many are there now. Hope you find this useful.

E-

 

[group_theory]

Why not ask (or PM) Quinn or DocWagner? They are both DOs doing an ACGME residency in EM. DocWagner is a chief resident right now I think.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I recently spoke to a young MD that has been practicing for about 5 years now. They told me that, in a hospital setting, there is no real difference a doctors between MD's and DO's, but it is harder for a DO to get a residency in a specialty residency like Emergency Medicine. Now, I want to be a DO, I didn't even apply to Allopathic Schools, but it is a little scary to hear that. We learn all the same things as MD's plus OMM, we have to bust our butts to take the boards twice COMLEX and USMLE! After all of that, we probably know more, but it is still hard to get a competitive residency? Why should it be any harder for us than for allopathic student. Everyone works just as hard and a good candidate is a good candidate regardless? So why the conspiracy? And this is in NJ-- and urban environment. Is it even harder in the Midwest or in the South? I was kind of upset hearing this.

👎

-I personally know 3 DO's that are chief residents at their respective allopathic residencies (in Texas, Louisiana, and Arizona)

-every single residency in Texas (all allopathic) have several DO's

-both residencies in Oklahoma are osteopathic only

- I don't know about New Jersey, but this is true for the southwest

The residencies in TX, OK, LA, AZ, & CO are where I am looking at, and all of these programs have DO's as current residents.

 

[sophiejane]

It's actually easier because we have both DO and MD residencies to choose from. But it's hard to get into allo surgery programs--that's a fact. That is the one specialty that is holding fast against DOs for the most part. But if you want to do any of the primary care specialties (which includes EM), you'll have no problem.

 

[EMTLizzy]

The chairman of the ED at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ is a DO and so is atleast half of the other ER docs. In the end it is you against you.

Duuude! You stole my answer! And just how do you know Dr. Sweeney? I have inside connections, I went to high school with his daughter.

To the OP, Getting an EM residency should be no problem. If you really want to stay in NJ, I've found there are a lot more DO's in the southern part of the state. If you're looking for "safety in numbers" then that seems to be where to go. We're branching out, though. Jersey Shore Medical Center has quite a few DO residents right now in various areas. And Union General Hospital in the centeral/northern part of the state is an osteopathic hospital. It's a nice place. I work for the health care system it is a part of. Hmmm, wonder if that will help me when looking for a residency.

You don't have to take the COMLEX and the USMLE, by the way. Just the COMLEX.

 

[Nate]

I have been volunteering over there for a while and have shadowed Dr. Sweeney. He wrote one of my LORs. He is a charter class graduate of UMDNJ-SOM and an awesome doc.

I have actually heard that they are planning to open an EM residency program at JSUMC but I have no clue when that will happen. If they do you can be assured that it will be "DO friendly".

~Nate

 

[Fermata]

EM is not that competitive in the larger scheme of things.

 

[OSUdoc08]

EM is not that competitive in the larger scheme of things.

There were actually several EM residencies with spots unfilled last year.

 

[Fermata]

There were actually several EM residencies with spots unfilled last year.

How does that detract from my point.....? 😕

 

[Dr JPH]

But it's hard to get into allo surgery programs--that's a fact. That is the one specialty that is holding fast against DOs for the most part.

Not so sure this is as true now as it was 5-7 years ago.

As far as EM, people have already said...it is not THE most competitive residency out there. Point is, you want the BEST spot you can get into (that you like). You don't want to settle for a site that went unmatched simply because there is room there.

As far as being a DO, no worries. As far as that young MD friend of yours, well, how does he know? He isnt a DO. I highly doubt he is a program director at this early stage in his career.

It is true, there ARE programs that seem to have a discrimination against DO's. Do they advertise that? Of course not...at least not publicly. But are things moving towards this attitude or away from it? Certainly away from it.

I think you need to worry about anatomy before you start worrying about what residency you can or cannot match into.

Good luck.

 

[OSUdoc08]

How does that detract from my point.....? 😕

that was in support of your point

 

[sistahnik]

I wouldn't worry too much about that!! I work in the ER and most of the Doc's are D.O.'s. People who want something really bad will work hard to get it no matter if it's easy or hard to obtain!! just do what you have to do in order to get that residency you want!! 👍

 

[noalarms23]

You don't have to take the COMLEX and the USMLE, by the way. Just the COMLEX.

i thought i had read somewhere something to the effect of taking the COMLEX and the USMLE makes it easier to get into/be considered for certain specialties? don't attack what i say too harshly, because i'm not sure of the exact wording, but it has something to do with taking the same test as the MDs "levels" the playing field, or the USMLE as an equalizer, or something...??

 

[tag_do]

i thought i had read somewhere something to the effect of taking the COMLEX and the USMLE makes it easier to get into/be considered for certain specialties?

There are residencies for just DO's. These do not require you to take the USMLE. The 'level playing field' is regarding residencies that consider both DO's and MD's.