Osteopathic Programs

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uhs2004

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Since most of the osteopathic programs let the applicants know early, how many people have already accepted a spot for next year??

I'll be in Grand Rapids, MI at Metropolitan Hospital. Nice to know before March!!!!!🙂
 
Congrats. This actually prevented me from applying to many osteopathic programs, because I wanted to look at allopathic programs as well. By offering spots before the match, you are asked to make a commitment before you might have even completed interviews on the allopathic circuit. On the other hand, as you know, it must be REALLY nice to have a spot and a contract while the other schlebs are still interviewing! Party time!
 
Yes, it is very strategic how they do that...isn't it. I remember when I told an attending I was applying only to allopathic programs(for various reasons)...he never turned in his letter of recommendation.
 
Passive-agressive; the cornerstone of medicine!
 
I think that it can be nice that the osteopathic match works the way that it does, but it is also very frustrating and somewhat unfair. I went through both matches, and liked a few programs in each. My top two were allopathic programs, and both were very strong programs who were only semi-DO friendly. The third choice was an osteopathic program, one that is not as strong as the other two, but still a very decent program, and one that my family and I would be very happy at. When it came down to it, I chose the DO program just because I wanted to be sure that I had a place to go the next year. Whether or not I could have matched at either of my top two programs I'll never know. Why couldn't they make it one big match, that way it would give us DO students more of an opportunity to match where we REALLY want to go, and not have to choose between a FOR-SURE spot, or one left up to the match. What do others think about this?

Also, where are some of the DO students going next year that know already??
 
I have a somewhat off-topic question. If I was to do a AOA approved internship right out of med school that is close to home b/c of family issues (wife is finishing pharmacy school) am I then limited to osteopathic EM residencies and the Allo programs that accept students with prior training. I guess this comes down to the whole CMS residency funding thing. I am a bit confused about how this works. Any info is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
Our program (USF) is a three year program, and we are interviewing people with previous training, be they interns, residents, or attendings.

Q, DO
 
Raptor 5-

You've got it right. You're options for residency if you do an AOA approved internship are unfilled osteopathic EM programs (most are linked now so there will be few spots available) and allopathic residencies that accepted residents with prior training.

Your funding for residency is based on HCFA (Health Care Financing Act), which basically limits the hospitals' reimbursement of graduate medical education for a minimum amount of years required for a physician to complete their residency. It's odd though. Since 5 of the U.S. states require an internship if you're an osteopathic grad becoming an emergency physician requires 4 years- 1+3. In allopathic programs you can finish in 3 years ( there a several 4 year programs, but they're the minority).

So long story short, if you begin an allopathic program after an AOA residency you'll half funded for the 3rd year of your allopathic residency (PGY-4).
 
Although I have a lot of respect for the osteopathic profession, I'm enfuriated that our "match" is not really a match. The programs ask you to make a verbal commitment to them 3-4 months prior to the actual rank list date, sometimes even before you've finished interviewing. As an applicant you feel powerless in wanting to secure yourself a position, while not being dishonest. I was very unhappy dealing with each programs' "deadlines" of when you have to notify us if you're intending to rank us #1. I wish they'd play by the books. Has anyone heard why our osteopathic programs aren't held accountable to the match rules?
 
I second (third?fourth?) the osteopathic EM frustration. my home program has been nice enough to let me "shop" a bit after offering me a spot, but it would be so much nicer if all the programs were in one match. Ive got plenty of the MD interviews, but it is still not very fun knowing Im sort of rolling the dice by turning down the offer at home a few months before the allo match. I have another question, too. It is my understanding that if I want to pursue MD fellowships, I have to come out of an allopathic residency. is this correct?
 
I will have to agree with the above statements, I also been offered a spot with an osteopathic program, Many people from the program (PD, APD, RC) have emailed or called me about my ranking. But different than the above none have asked for a verbal comittment or contract. They have just let me know that I have been ranked in their top spots. When I was told of my ranking I had only interviewed at 2 of my now 10 allopathic programs, so I had to be a litte evasive with my answer. I have to agree that now as interviews are starting to wind down, I am in a quandry because the osteopathic program could end up any where from #2 to #5 depending on how my final interviews go. Luckily I have scheduled all of my interviews prior to the Osteopathic ROL due date. But still I will probably have to decide if I want to roll the dice and pull out of a sure thing to gamble on my #1 pick. Ah, I think this is why they invented Tums.
 
I have been planning on telling the osteopathic program yes or no thanks by early january, so they would have time to arrange someone else for the spot if I decide to go somewhere else (and that is probably what I will do). however, I guess they also have to submit a ROL, and are not entirely counting on the few people they already 'picked'? If I am not screwing the osteopathic program around by taking my time to decide (go through all of my allo interviews first) it would be much easier. does the osteopathic match work just like the MD match? alarming how oblivious I am...
 
Don't quote me but I believe the Ranking/Match system is very similar to the NRMP. But I know it is run out of Canada. Probably with my luck it is ran by the McKenzie Brothers!:clap:
 
if osteopathic med students can apply to allopathic residencies, can allopathic students apply to osteopathic?
 
if osteopathic med students can apply to allopathic residencies, can allopathic students apply to osteopathic?

No.
 
I was told that there is a way that they can apply. I just can remember the deteils. I can see if I can find out.
 
Originally posted by realruby2000
care to explain why?

Its just... not possible. First, you'd have to sign up for the osteopathic match, and you'll need your school to help sign you up for that (I think). Second, most allopathic schools would/should have no idea how to sign up for the osteopathic match. Third, you'd have to take the COMLEX, and you need to be an osteopathic student to do that.

Q, DO
 
No I know it is possible. I have an email off to an old PD for IM that almost took a MD into her program in Michigan. I will post when I hear back from her.
 
No I know it is possible. I have an email off to an old PD for IM that almost took a MD into her program in Michigan.

Interesting - I'd like to hear more about this. Up til now I had thought that it didn't happen for the reasons Quinn elaborated above, plus the fact that allopathic students don't learn osteopathic manual medicine, which is often an integral part of osteopathic residency programs.
 
Weird. I believe you, just didnt' think it was possible. And I've never heard of any MD going to a DO institution (besides dually accredited programs). It would be weird to see an MD intern at a small DO hospital!

Q, DO
 
oh please, you're at fort knox now. i think you can clear your bookshelf of the moldy ones.
 
With everyone talking about the osteopathic match....anyone want to tell where you are going next year/offers you have yet?
 
Originally posted by docflanny
Although I have a lot of respect for the osteopathic profession, I'm enfuriated that our "match" is not really a match. The programs ask you to make a verbal commitment to them 3-4 months prior to the actual rank list date, sometimes even before you've finished interviewing. As an applicant you feel powerless in wanting to secure yourself a position, while not being dishonest. I was very unhappy dealing with each programs' "deadlines" of when you have to notify us if you're intending to rank us #1. I wish they'd play by the books. Has anyone heard why our osteopathic programs aren't held accountable to the match rules?

I had a DO program offer me a spot last year. I asked for them to fax a written offer and benefits. The PD said "Benefits? They're fine!" A few days later I decided that I wasn't impressed with the program and was going to enter the allopathic match. When I called to decline, she said it was OK, she had already filled the position!

Now, I thought this was Hi-Larious. What if I had called to accept?

As an aside, I have at times argued for the validity of the lawsuit claiming the NRMP operates in violation of antitrust law and deprives future residents of the abaility to negotiate salaries and working conditions, etc. In retrospect, my situation last year was a good example of some protections that the current NRMP does provide.

Yes, if I had gotten that offer in writing it would have been a different story...

Oops, my drink is empty (again)!
 
Ok, I just received word from the PD, the AOA doesn't allow MD's into their residencies. Quinn you were right.
 
Originally posted by Chris_Topher
Oops, my drink is empty (again)!


Originally posted by QuinnNSU
I want to be drunk and surf SDN!

Damn.

Q, DO

Yes, it is the sad truth of internship that I can get a good buzz from 2 beers.
 
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