OUCOM Psychotic

[MaximusD]

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5 year commitment... a contract!? Yeah, just let me sign over my soul while I'm at it. I am not saying that I'd necessarily leave the area, but if I had to, I would want to be able to. It's just unrealistic to give 9 years of my life to a particular state... and pay 200,000 for it to boot.

**** that.👎

 

[Punchap]

It doesn't make OUCOM/state of Ohio psychotic for wanting to retain valuable healthcare resources. It makes perfect sense, esp. since many DO schools and practicing osteopaths are committed to serving underpopulated areas. Go to PCOM instead. Good luck in your endeavors.

 

[MaximusD]

It just seems a little ridiculous. I can't imagine many other professions where you would be required by a binding contract to remain in any geographic region or else you could be sued for tens of thousands of dollars...

I didn't mean to down OUCOM - it appears that they have an excellent program. However, I think it might be more wise that they take a route like WVU or WVSOM by which they admit very few out-of-staters. WVU doesn't admit anyone without state ties (unless they have ivy-league qualifications).

 

[Punchap]

I completely understand your frustration. I would be upset if I were in the position of an out-of-stater.

 

[Shinken]

It just seems a little ridiculous. I can't imagine many other professions where you would be required by a binding contract to remain in any geographic region or else you could be sued for tens of thousands of dollars...

I didn't mean to down OUCOM - it appears that they have an excellent program. However, I think it might be more wise that they take a route like WVU or WVSOM by which they admit very few out-of-staters. WVU doesn't admit anyone without state ties (unless they have ivy-league qualifications).

OU-COM can offer a relatively competitive tuition thanks to state-generated dollars. The legislature has an agreement with OU-COM that they'll help economically but in exchange OU-COM had to make sure Ohio got their money's worth in medical services (I might have the story twisted, but basically OU-COM gets state dollars and the state wants something in return).

Therefore, not only do out of state students need to sign the contract (in-state do not), but there's also a rule that out of state rotations for 3rd and 4th year cannot exceed 8 weeks. Again, that's simply to get the most benefit out of med students. Ohio doesn't want to pay OU-COM to offer lower tuition to out of state students simply to have them spend half their training (and their cheap labor) out of state or to quickly leave after they graduate. You can buy out of the contract after you graduate if you want to.

And no, OU-COM will most surely not sue you for tens of thousands.

If you have questions, it's best to talk to either admissions at OU or to student affairs, instead of trying to speculate. OU is an awesome school and I'm sure glad I signed that contract (have you seen some of the hospitals offering osteopathic training in Ohio? WOW. Even hospitals that are purely allopathic welcome OU DO grads...the chief resident of the IM program at the Cleveland Clinic was a DO).

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

They already do admit mostly Ohio residents.

 

[dr.z]

5 year commitment... a contract!? Yeah, just let me sign over my soul while I'm at it. I am not saying that I'd necessarily leave the area, but if I had to, I would want to be able to. It's just unrealistic to give 9 years of my life to a particular state... and pay 200,000 for it to boot.

**** that.👎

I don't remember exactly but depending on the residency you choose, those years can be shortened.

 

[theraball]

I don't remember exactly but depending on the residency you choose, those years can be shortened.

I'd be interested to know the basis for that statement. I didn't read the contract word for word but it sure sounded like 5 years = 5 years. In my opinion, they should make the medical opportunities in Ohio attractive enough that people will want to stay rather than have this artificial mandate that probably scares away some otherwise excellent candidates.

 

[Shinken]

I'd be interested to know the basis for that statement. I didn't read the contract word for word but it sure sounded like 5 years = 5 years. In my opinion, they should make the medical opportunities in Ohio attractive enough that people will want to stay rather than have this artificial mandate that probably scares away some otherwise excellent candidates.

If you complete a primary care residency in the OU-COM CORE system of osteopathic training, 1 year of training will count for 1.5 years of the contract. In other words, if you do 3 years of family practice or internal medicine (or pediatrics) in a CORE hospital, your 5 year committment will be satisfied. If you do non-primary care, then 1 year = 1 year of the contract. In other words, a 5 year surgery residency in the CORE will satisfy your contract.

A residency outside the CORE, even in an osteopathic program (say for example an AOA/ACGME FP program at Case) wouldn't satisfy the contract and you'd either have to stay and work for 5 years after residency or buy out of the contract.

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

Well, thats nice to know that if you do residency in Ohio for the most part it will count for repayment. What I would like to know is if the allopathic schools have the same requirement? It should be a the same statewide.

 

[Shinken]

What I would like to know is if the allopathic schools have the same requirement?

No, they don't. I don't know why.