Osteopathic vs. allopathic GS program

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PlasticMan

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As it is getting close to the rank list day for the osteopathic match, there are several questions that I have not been able to find the definitive answer for and they concern AOA vs ACGME GS program:

1) Can someone complete an osteopathic GS residency and eventually go on to become FACS or are you limited for your entire career to FACOS?

2) Are there any future limitations to completing an AOA residency (and depending on the answer to question #1) on practicing in the US and obtaining practice rights for different hospitals. Does being an FACS open more doors?

3) Will completing an AOA residency vs ACGME limit me somehow in international endeavors? I know not all countries accept the DO degree, but I'm sure they all know what being an FACS is, which may give some leverage?

4) Depending on the answer to question #1, what are the benefits vs limitations of being a FACS vs FACOS in regards to public speaking, publishing, getting teaching positions, politics, etc.

If someone coming from a DO school has good chances for an ACGME GS spot, would they be crazy to go for an AOA spot? There are some AOA programs I like, but I'm worried about future limitations on my career. I have plans on doing alot of international work as well as possibly entering politics in the distant future.
 
Let me clarify in case some people are not aware: FACS and FACOS is not the same thing as being board certified...it is a different process requiring BC, recommendations and other criteria. You have to be in practice for a while before you can become a fellow in ACS and presumably ACOS ("FACS and FACOS" respectively).

Honestly, these questions were probably more relevant prior to med school than they are now. It's an uphill battle to get an allopathic GS spot (and it's been pretty competitive the last several years) as a DO, even with good stats, especially to an academic program. And the academic program is going to be the most helpful in getting you into a research type spot. You may want to ask one of your faculty about whether a more academic osteopathic residency is better for a possibility of research and teaching positions than a community allopathic one. IMO, while it's not impossible to leap from community to academics, it's a much tougher sell as a DO to get into allopathic academics and research in general, especially from a community program....which means an osteopathic residency to get into an osteopathic research/teaching track may be the preferred route.

However, to answer your questions:

1. You will be limited to FACOS. I was actually under the impression that DO=FACOS, regardless of allopathic or osteopathic residency; however I do not know for sure and defer to others on this.

2. I do not think there are specific limitations, however I believe it is much easier to be in a allopathic academic program with an MD rather than a DO. I rarely ran into a DO at my main residency hospital. Truthfully, I can't think of a single DO there. But it was affiliated with an allopathic med school. But at our secondary hospitals there were some DOs.

3. I don't know internationally. FACS is different from being board certified. I think that being boarded is what is considered important, not the FACS status. Like I said, it takes some time after completing training before you are eligible to become a fellow and to go through the process (at least a year, maybe more). You can work internationally after finishing training if you like. FACS is just icing on the cake from what I understand. However, if a country does not accept the DO degree, I doubt FACS status can overcome that. Also, you may be able to apply via the international route if you go abroad right away and meet the international FACS requirements. Others on SDN probably have a better idea about this than I do.

4. It probably depends. I doubt going the osteopathic route would restrict you from doing any of these things in general, although you may find you are more limited to osteopathic based institutions more so than an allopathic surgeon. But there are plenty of osteopathic schools out there that want good people and lecturers, and have research going on....and there's only so many people in the allopathic circuit that get invited as guest speakers to begin with.

You can look at the FACS requirements here It states graduation from acceptable medical schools is a requirement---not sure if this includes osteopathic schools or not.
 
PlasticMan I spoke to many attendings when I was doing my surgical electives they all were telling me same things that Smurfette wrote here.

Myself I will try to go for allopatic match and see whats going to happen.

Best of luck to you!!!👍🙂
 
DOs can be FACS if they want.
Yes, I have met several; however, all of these I've met were DOs who completed an ACGME residency. My question is, can one complete a AOA residency and still eventually become FACS ?
 
Yes, I have met several; however, all of these I've met were DOs who completed an ACGME residency. My question is, can one complete a AOA residency and still eventually become FACS ?

Same here I think (it is my personal opinion) to be FACS you should complete ACGME residency if you go to AOA residency you will be FACOS, but they mean the same thing one allo and one osteo, but I maybe wrong....
 
Yes you can, its new in the past couple of years.
Can you elaborate on this? Or have a link or anything? Or can anyone else confirm this? Thanks.
 
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