non-AOA internship for DOs

[relish]

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Im a DO student going through the allopathic match. I am curious to hear from other DOs out there that have applied for an approved internship year not accredited by AOA. Reason I ask is because of this frightening message on the AOA website:

Students who do not participate in the Match, and choose to take allopathic (non-AOA-approved) first year graduate training instead of an osteopathic internship, are not assured of receiving AOA approval for this training. Only interns who have received AOA approval for their training may receive credit for the internship year.

Is it difficult to obtain this approval for Psych? What exactly has to be done?

 

[jay dub]

First I should say that I am a DO and I did not do an AOA internship and I am not at a dually accredited program. I should also say that I did not go through the process of getting my intern year approved, so that being said you can take what I have to say with a grain of salt... I don't think it matters all that much if your intern year is not AOA approved UNLESS (1) you want to practice in one of THE FIVE states, (2) it is very important to you to keep your AOA certification (interestingly they have no problem taking my money to continue my membership as an AOA member even though they don't recognize my training), or (3) you want to be involved administratively/academically at a DO school at some point in your future career. I matched through the allo match and I'm now in my third year of residency. I went through the process (= paperwork and $$$$$$$$) of obtaining state licensure for the state in which I am training without any problems (of course it is not one of THE FIVE).

All of that being said, my understanding is that it will not be that difficult to get your intern year approved as there are so few AOA psych programs and if you can come up with even a barely good reason why you went allo (e.g. "I wanted/needed to pursue training in XX geographic region where my AOA options were limited...") I imagine you'll be in the clear. But again, I don't know what I'm talking about because I didn't bother going through that process... Good luck!!

 

[raspberry swirl]

Is it difficult to obtain this approval for Psych? What exactly has to be done?

jay dub is correct- you dont NEED approval, only if you want to do those things he listed in the above post. if you do want approval, you have to go through the process referred to as resolution 42, and there is info on it somewhere on the AOA/DO online website. with a little poking around you should be able to find it. i am only ranking allo residencies since there are only 5 DO psych programs in less than desireable locations. im going to attempt to fill out the resolution 42 paperwork in order to get my PGY1 year approved, but if they dont approve it, i dont really care. i have heard they are cracking down on approving allo PGY1 years, and that you must have a legitimate reason for attempting to do so. (apparently in earlier years it was as easy as filling out the paperwork. not so much anymore). im hoping couples-matching is a good enough excuse. if not, oh well!

 

[relish]

Good to know, thanks for the posts. Do you think the reason of--there is not an osteopathic internship in the desired city available--would be enough for approval? It is not overly imprtant to me, but just in case circumstances present where I want to work in one of those cursed 5 states. Not that it would be hard to find a job as a psychiatrist...