OMS title

Started by jonb12997
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jonb12997

jonb12997

I'm a doctor!!
20+ Year Member
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I've been thinking about the situation with the AOA wanting us to use OMS-# instead of MS-#.
I've thought a lot about this since starting school (after a situation that occured to me at an allopathic training hospital) and I've decided my feeling is this: when MD students start using AMS-#, then I will start using OMS-#.
I'm interested to find out what other current and "accepted soon-to-be" osteopathic students (not pre-meds) think about this issue...
 
I believe it was Robert C. Clark, DO who intially suggested the branding of OMS to osteopathic medical students. In his letter to JAOA (Nov. 2004), he argues that we are not medical students, but osteopathic medical students. He compares it to "brand identity". In a response to that, Adam Smith, DO reminds us that AT Still's original intention was not to create a "separate and distinct form of healthcare", rather to reform the healthcare system itself. I tend to agree with Adam Smith's arguments. The last thing we need to do is be isolationists or, as Dr. Smith puts it, create "artificial distinictions".
 
"OMS" is about the stupidest thing I've ever heard. This brand identity push by the AOA seems like a desperate attempt at elitism, while most of us in the rank and file just want to learn medicine and get along. Regarding Dr. Smith's editorial letter, look for my 2 cents to be published this month in the JAOA!
 
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Yea, here at UNE most people have jumped on the bandwagon and adopted the OMS title. I think that if it floats your boat and makes you happy then by all means use it. I personally don't think that I am any better/worse/different than any other osteopathic or allopathic student and am just using the plain 'ol MS title. I personally wouldn't want to be FORCED to use it. Just like I am still devising a way to remove the obnoxious "frisbee" that the school has attached to the front of our white coats before starting rotations this summer!!
 
jonb12997 said:
I've been thinking about the situation with the AOA wanting us to use OMS-# instead of MS-#.
I've thought a lot about this since starting school (after a situation that occured to me at an allopathic training hospital) and I've decided my feeling is this: when MD students start using AMS-#, then I will start using OMS-#.
I'm interested to find out what other current and "accepted soon-to-be" osteopathic students (not pre-meds) think about this issue...
Click to expand...

The only students that actually use that title are the ones that hold office within the AOA.

Don't worry about it.

OSUdoc08, MS-I
 
I have never used it in medical records, just for a presentation at convocation. I find it disappointing that the AOA feels that 'OMS' is important but its not important to do serious work on improving AOA residency quality and spots, or give us a combined match so we have the best possible opportunities.

vent....

vent....
vent!
 
OSUdoc08 said:
The only students that actually use that title are the ones that hold office within the AOA.

Don't worry about it.

OSUdoc08, MS-I
Click to expand...

Pretty true.

I use MS3 on all of my patient notes & non-AOA correspondence, but on anything going to the AOA or someone who would find it an important designation I use the OMS3.
 
I use MS rather than OMS so as not to confuse anyone involved in the healthcare process (the majority don't know what OMS is in most hospitals). Physicians and colleages judge how much to pay attention to your note based on the number after the MS- and that is about the whole of its use. If you are neurotic about it you can write out "osteopathic MSIV" or whatever but i dont recommend OMS since it is unclear.

If they see OMM in the note they will figure out I am an osteopathic student and actually have some sense of what i did. If they don't, i might as well be an allo medical student so far as the note and its readers are concerned.

Those who've read my other postings know I am passionate about osteopathy. However- I also believe the AOA has picked some poor battles.

michael
 
Can we change it to MS-1O, MS-2O, MS-3O, MS-4O????

One more Question... does one Put

Jon Doe, BSc, MSc, PhD, OMS1 or is the order different.
Jon Doe, OMS1, BSc, MSc, PhD...

This is important to know.
 
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I don't think the distinction OMS and MS has any meaning whatsoever. Nobody is going to care, and even with it saying MS-*, most attendings don't pay much attention to it. I agree with macman...the AOA needs to improve residency positions, etc.

As a side note, and this was something that I realized when I had to go to Conshohocken, PA for the DO clinical skills exam. (Not sure if I spelled the city right but don't really care if I didn't). Based on the rotations that I had third year and fourth year, I feel more like an allopathic medical student than an osteopathic medical student. The type of doctor you become is largely based on who trained you....the first two years of medical school was probably about 50-50 since we had so much OMM training in OMM Lab. However, during my third and fourth years at least 90% of my training came from MD's....I hardly ever used any OMM and my patient assessment and management reflects that...which some could argue is unfortunate.

Regardless of whether or not I put OMS-IV or MS-IV down for my last two weeks is irrelevant(because I'm rotating at the coroner's office), but I doubt it would have any relevance on my rotations as a whole. I will be happy putting DO after my name after graduation, and maybe I'll have the opportunity to use some OMM skills during internship.

The focus should not be on the initials but the fund of knowledge gained throughout your education.

After internship it won't matter much...because I won't be listing "Somatic Dysfunction" as a DDX on my radiology reports. And so everyone can rest easy...I won't put down "Osteopathic Clinical Correlation Recommended" either. 😀
 
docbill said:
Can we change it to MS-1O, MS-2O, MS-3O, MS-4O????

One more Question... does one Put

Jon Doe, BSc, MSc, PhD, OMS1 or is the order different.
Jon Doe, OMS1, BSc, MSc, PhD...

This is important to know.
Click to expand...

you don't put a bachelor's degree after your name when you have graduate-level education
 
I'll start considering the OMS title when Dr. Thomas starts putting DO on his lab coat.
 
docbill said:
Can we change it to MS-1O, MS-2O, MS-3O, MS-4O????

One more Question... does one Put

Jon Doe, BSc, MSc, PhD, OMS1 or is the order different.
Jon Doe, OMS1, BSc, MSc, PhD...

This is important to know.
Click to expand...


I know you mean this sarcastic bill, but in case you don't know, your latest degree goes first, followed by your "lower" degrees.
For me, I am medic170, B.S., EMT-P
a doc with an MPH would be Dr. Bill, MD, MPH
err, um..excuse me...Dr. Bill D.O, MPH 😉
and yeah, yo udon't list your Bachelors if you have a grad degree except in Canada 😉
 
medic170 said:
I know you mean this sarcastic bill, but in case you don't know, your latest degree goes first, followed by your "lower" degrees.
For me, I am medic170, B.S., EMT-P
a doc with an MPH would be Dr. Bill, MD, MPH
err, um..excuse me...Dr. Bill D.O, MPH 😉
and yeah, yo udon't list your Bachelors if you have a grad degree except in Canada 😉
Click to expand...


Thanks for all the replies. Yes I meant to be silly.

I actually just put my last degree, if it is something official.

Otherwise I put nothing. My first name works just fine.
 
medic170 said:
I know you mean this sarcastic bill, but in case you don't know, your latest degree goes first, followed by your "lower" degrees.
For me, I am medic170, B.S., EMT-P
a doc with an MPH would be Dr. Bill, MD, MPH
err, um..excuse me...Dr. Bill D.O, MPH 😉
and yeah, yo udon't list your Bachelors if you have a grad degree except in Canada 😉
Click to expand...

Also, to belabor the (silly, I know) point, if you have a PhD in the same track as the Masters (You had said MSc in your hypothetical), I don't think you are supposed to even list the masters. (MPH would be different). 😎
 
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Docgeorge said:
I'll start considering the OMS title when Dr. Thomas starts putting DO on his lab coat.
Click to expand...

I totally agree. Here at PCOM there has been no mention of the OMS title. It is likely the administration thinks it pretty stupid. In a few years all the old MD wannabes with a chip on their shoulder will be out of the AOA leadership and a new generation can shake some sense into this organization. I say if the AMA welcomes you into its house of delegates take it regardless of whether it is specialty status or not. I don't see a problem with the AOA considered a specialty society unless they invite Chiros, PAs, and PTs for that very reason. Soon the penguin will be gone. The new guy Dr. Shettle (spelling) doesn't appear to be too bad. He even put a positive spin on why not to have a dual match that I can agree with.
 
Dr. Shettle the AOA president elect did mention something the other day about brand recognition and having Osteopathy mentioned on happy meals at McDonald's. Great now DOs will be associated with obesity and CAD. Parents will then sue the AOA for endorsing unhealthy food that caused their child to have childhood adult onset diabetes. Personally I would have targeted Subway that Jared character is getting old.
 
raptor5 said:
Dr. Shettle the AOA president elect did mention something the other day about brand recognition and having Osteopathy mentioned on happy meals at McDonald's.
Click to expand...

omg...

PLEASE tell me this is a joke!
 
Apparently we youngin's need to stage a coup d'etat and get rid of the AOA leadership. Just kidding, but seriously Happy Meals, they think courting McDonalds is the way to improve our image!!!
 
raptor5 said:
Dr. Shettle the AOA president elect did mention something the other day about brand recognition and having Osteopathy mentioned on happy meals at McDonald's. Great now DOs will be associated with obesity and CAD. Parents will then sue the AOA for endorsing unhealthy food that caused their child to have childhood adult onset diabetes. Personally I would have targeted Subway that Jared character is getting old.
Click to expand...



PLEASE, PLEASE tell me you are jokeing.
 
drmanyee999 said:
Apparently we youngin's need to stage a coup d'etat and get rid of the AOA leadership. Just kidding, but seriously Happy Meals, they think courting McDonalds is the way to improve our image!!!
Click to expand...

haha, it'll be similar to the surgeon generals warning on cigarette packs.

WARNING: Do not eat this.

"a happy meal a day DOES NOT keep the DO away."
 
Just look at it as more job security for us!! Makes me wanna go for cardiology...

PublicEnemy said:
haha, it'll be similar to the surgeon generals warning on cigarette packs.

WARNING: Do not eat this.

"a happy meal a day DOES NOT keep the DO away."
Click to expand...
 
HAHA - very funny raptor 🙂

Yes he is joking. Dr. Philip L. Shettle mentioned that the AOA has hired a PR firm to help market its image. Among its accomplishments, this firm help develop and market the "Happy Meal".

Now if this firm decides to spread the word of osteopathy (flung to the breeze the banner of Osteopathy) by actually using McDonald's Happy Meal - well ... what better way than to have million of kids worldwide subconsciously associate fastfood, McDonalds, and osteopathy together. Soon the question will no longer be "what's a DO" but "aren't you a fastfood restaurant?".

I can see it now -

a kid goes up to the counter - "I'll have a number 2, supersize with coke!".
McDonald's employee - "Would you like a Kirksville Crunch too?"
kid - "yes please, along with a lumbar log roll"


Happy Meal is a registered trademark of the McDonald's Corporation. McDonald's is a registered trademark of the McDonald's Corporation.
 
group_theory said:
HAHA - very funny raptor 🙂

Yes he is joking. Dr. Philip L. Shettle mentioned that the AOA has hired a PR firm to help market its image. Among its accomplishments, this firm help develop and market the "Happy Meal".

Now if this firm decides to spread the word of osteopathy (flung to the breeze the banner of Osteopathy) by actually using McDonald's Happy Meal - well ... what better way than to have million of kids worldwide subconsciously associate fastfood, McDonalds, and osteopathy together. Soon the question will no longer be "what's a DO" but "aren't you a fastfood restaurant?".

I can see it now -

a kid goes up to the counter - "I'll have a number 2, supersize with coke!".
McDonald's employee - "Would you like a Kirksville Crunch too?"
kid - "yes please, along with a lumbar log roll"


Happy Meal is a registered trademark of the McDonald's Corporation. McDonald's is a registered trademark of the McDonald's Corporation.
Click to expand...
Don't forget their new lighter menu a chicken salad with posterior cervical counterstrain and for desert some functional methods on T5
 
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...what a trip. I havent seen this much enthusiastic agreement since the "put DOs on TV shows" was met with such overwhelming incredulity. I couldn't believe our AOA dollars were at work constructing fake, lame-ass scenarios to send in bulk-mail to the various tv production companies. At NSU, I've seen the OMS title used sparingly.

Some other brand identity disasters:
1. The saying on bumper stickers that, "DO stands for DOCtor."

2. Our co-OPP chair delivered one of the signature OPP lectures at our school while dressed up as obi-wan kenobi. No joke. The guy was actually serious about the metaphor of DOs, "using the force." Mind you, this guy (with all due respect) hangs pictures on his wall of AT Still's grave.

3. One of the emertius OPP professors fondly recalled cradling an autistic child in his arms while subtly manipulating the sub-cranial PRM. He could actually feel the re-organization of dis-organization. Memories like these make we want to brand the, "OMS" designation on my forehead or into the palms of my hands.

No wonder why people get freaked out about the, "DO difference." We do this to ourselves.

Much love,

Pushinepi2, OMS-IV, MD-O(c)
🙂
 
pushinepi2 said:
..
2. Our co-OPP chair delivered ....

3. One of the emertius OPP professors ...
🙂
Click to expand...

OPP... huh? Please tell me that this isn't from the song " Are you down with OPP..Yeah you know me!!!" I assume that this is equivalent to OMM, but what does it stand for?
 
I agree that the only peopleI see use the OMS designation are those who interact with the AOA on the national level. I think that even this use is ridiculous. This mererly give the leadership the false impression that the OMS title is being accepted, which it completely is not. Also it has students effectivly kissing a$$ to get ahead. This sets a bad precident.
As I have said before all this does is give us an elitist sepratist identity. The allopathic commuinity doesnt seem to feel the need to use AMS for their students. This is just a waste of energy by the AOA.
 
Thousandth said:
OPP... huh? Please tell me that this isn't from the song " Are you down with OPP..Yeah you know me!!!" I assume that this is equivalent to OMM, but what does it stand for?
Click to expand...


OPP=Osteopathic Principles and Practice...it is just another acronym for OMM/OMT
 
medic170 said:
OPP=Osteopathic Principles and Practice...it is just another acronym for OMM/OMT
Click to expand...

I knew this OMS thing would lead us down the wrong road. I'm finishing up a 4th yr ophtho elective this month. An extremely polite 40 ish year old woman presented for a routine eye exam. We exchanged all of the necessary pleasantries and she seemed pleased with having an OMS perform parts of the physical. She tells me:

"You've been so nice and thorough. What's next for you? Have you thought about going on and getting your MD?"

See! See what happens when we fling our banners of osteopathy to the breeze? Needless to say, I did have the much maligned DO vs MD discussion with her and perhaps jumbled a few of her neurons in the process.... If only more DOs were on TV shows!
 
I refuse to use that lame OMS title for anything, even as a goof. It is as absurd as seeing DOs on TV (and having worked on movies and TV for 3 years before I started med school I can only imagine the laugh they had at the AOA's expense) campaign. Why can't the AOA just get their sh1t together and get some residency programs up and running and not worry about all this lame crap?

BTW, when The Turtle (our nickcame for Thomas) came to talk to our school, he honestly had no idea what OMM was. He didn't even know what it STOOD for. He stumbled over his words and said "uh, osteopathic manipulation, manual, manual osteopathic, well, you know". We were underwhelmed.
 
The AOA is starting to take that Law and Order approach to naming its years lately. This year is officially the year of the mentor. What's next, AOA, Year of the Turtle, or year of the Penguin? I almost vomitted on myself when I heard you guys say "Turtle" and "Penguin". It took me a minute to get it but then I literally sucked about 30cc's of fresh 2% Borden's right into my freaking nostrils, only from the posterior pharyngeal route!!

And what's next for Law and Order anyway, Special After Hours Custodial Unit....Dung Dung!!!! :laugh:
 
PACtoDOC said:
The AOA is starting to take that Law and Order approach to naming its years lately. This year is officially the year of the mentor. What's next, AOA, Year of the Turtle, or year of the Penguin? I almost vomitted on myself when I heard you guys say "Turtle" and "Penguin". It took me a minute to get it but then I literally sucked about 30cc's of fresh 2% Borden's right into my freaking nostrils, only from the posterior pharyngeal route!!

And what's next for Law and Order anyway, Special After Hours Custodial Unit....Dung Dung!!!! :laugh:
Click to expand...

Year of the penguin. That has to be a crack at Dr. Thomas.
 
OMS is also a designation sometimes used for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon.

Likewise, www.aoa.org is the american optometric associaton.

If we want to have our own brand identity (which I dont agree with), it would be wise to make sure someone else isn't already using it.
 
DrRichardKimble said:
OMS is also a designation sometimes used for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon.

Likewise, www.aoa.org is the american optometric associaton.

If we want to have our own brand identity (which I dont agree with), it would be wise to make sure someone else isn't already using it.
Click to expand...

You don't put the name of your specialty after your name and omit your degree.

The OMS thing is irrelevant.
 
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OSUdoc08 said:
You don't put the name of your specialty after your name and omit your degree.

The OMS thing is irrelevant.
Click to expand...

Did you misread my post, or do you just like finding fault and error in everyone? The point I was trying to get at was the fact that "OMS" as a designation is polarizing and confusing for those not familar with the term. I think most everyone here agrees with that.
 
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