Problem with DO Residencies?

[FrkyBgStok]

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I have been seeing a lot of threads about DOs wanting to know how to get into competitive MD programs, blah blah blah. My question is, what is wrong with these DO programs (neurosurge, plastics, whatever) or is it because the people worrying about it want to do a residency at a number 1 program.

And that being said, what is wrong with DO programs anyway. I am not trying to flame in any way, I am curious because I don't know. Why do DOs just not match DO? Is there a downside?

I guess I look at a neurosurgeon as a neurosurgeon, ER doc as an ER doc, etc. I do not come from a small town, but it definitely isn't huge. Less than 400,000 including suburbs. I plan on only applying to DO programs, and I am sure along the way I will figure it out, but is there truely problems with these programs, or is it simply because some are in smaller towns or 'less desirable' places? I have every intention to being happy with a DO program if I get into one, but being a pre-med, I could just be inexperienced.

 

[dancingdoctor13]

Good question....similarly interested....isn't it great that we would have two options and actually, maybe get into the specialty of our choice?

 

[JaggerPlate]

Eh, I've heard a few complaints ... none that were really good enough to counter the examples you're talking about (especially with regard to uber competitive specialties like plastics and derm). The negatives I've heard are:

1. Location - a lot of the DO residencies are concentrated in the midwest, and people don't want to live there.

2. I've heard in certain fields, AMBS certification is king. Frankly, I've only heard this in Anes and Rads, and I've even heard people dismiss this. Also, I have heard of a few, very few situations where people said that BC by an osteo board caused some issues with hospital privileges. Keep in mind that this is like a n=2 (for me personally) type of thing, and in both cases I'm pretty sure the AOA stepped in and cleared things up.

Frankly, I've always thought that the AOA residencies were a very cool option for DO students, and I've also heard great things about many of them. It's probably best to just ask around and kind of hear things/learn about them while in school. I wouldn't simply dismiss them outright by any means though.

 

[csmittyB]

... Why do DOs just not match DO? Is there a downside?....

To add to what has already been said, as I understand it, there aren't enough AOA residencies for all of the graduating DOs.

 

[Skippygonenuts]

To add to what has already been said, as I understand it, there aren't enough AOA residencies for all of the graduating DOs.

On that note, it doesn't look like there are enough ACGME residencies for the graduating MDs either ...tough times my friend..

 

[JaggerPlate]

On that note, it doesn't look like there are enough ACGME residencies for the graduating MDs either ...tough times my friend..

Wouldn't want to be starting at a Caribbean school atm.

 

[christina30]

I could be wrong, but I think that some of these threads are started by young pre-meds who maybe aren't aware of the fact that DO's participate in their own, separate match, and they do include specialties like derm, neurosurg, radiology, etc.

And I know NYCOM has a handful of programs at different hospitals in the tri-state area in these more competitive fields, too - including EM/IM, which I'm interested in personally 🙂

 

[Wyclef]

Speaking of the field i matched into, allo radiology programs in general are much stronger than osteo radiology programs. Higher volumes, better funding, etc...