Question for Dr. Russo, others about DOs in PM&R... how competitive?

[San_Juan_Sun]

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Hi, this is my first visit to this forum, and it's great. I'm a first year DO student trying to spend my Christmas vacation doing something other than studying, and so I've been looking into different specialties for kicks.

I was wondering how competitive PM&R really is (not that competition scares me 🙂 ). Also, how are DOs received in this field? Again, I'm just a first year and I'm probably jumping the gun a bit, but I was curious. Thanks for your replies

 

[drvlad2004]

As a fourth year medical student from NYCOM, I can definitely tell you that DOs are very well received in PM&R with very high regards. I believe that our extensive training in anatomy, musculoskeletal medicine, and OMM already prepares us for this field. I would that the competition is moderately competitive. Grades and board scores are definitely not the biggest factors. Throughout my interviews, it appears that they look for a student who has the attributes to be an excellent fit for PM&R. Often, PDs ask about my background as a certified personal trainer, nutrition background, and exercise science background. They love asking me about my OMM skills, which I love practicing as much as possible.

You don't need USMLE scores to land a spot. I have seen a lot of DOs as faculty members, program directors (RIC for example), and chairmans (e.g. U of Pitt). I hate to brag but many PDs have told me that they find DOs better prepared for this field. DOs students have continually matched into elite programs. I personally know NYCOM grads who have gotten into Spaulding, Temple, and other great programs. Dr. Russo is a great example.

Even if PM&R is supposedly gotten more competitive, many programs have further recognized DOs as an integral component to PM&R. I can't think of another specialty where DOs are on the same playing field as MDs. Not even the primary care specialties compare.

It's good to hear that you are looking ahead, even as a first year. I hope that you find the right field that fits you the most and makes you happy.

 

[Finally M3]

"I hate to brag but many PDs have told me that they find DOs better prepared for this field."

That's true to some extent, especially if the program has faculty performing manipulation in clinic. Also, I think the learing of manipulation in and of itself requires a certain familiarity with anatomy that many allopaths don't have. I know the first time I saw an osteopath. do an eval for lower back pain I was wondering 'What the hell does a malrotated hip mean?'. It's terminology/exam skills/knowledge that allopaths have to learn on the fly, so to speak.

I can't really address the competitiveness of the field, but most of the PDs I have spoken with have remarked on the quality of the applicants this year and how applications are up. I wouldn't put it out of the realm of possibility that in 2-3 years time, matching for PM&R could approach that of...ER maybe? Moderate competition..not Rads/Derm/Plastics competition

 

[drusso]

Competitiveness and specialty popularity is a cyclical phenomenon. I don't think the recent uptick in applications is because medical students are suddenly interested in disability. I think PM&R is becoming a more attractive specialty for a number of reasons including: 1) Controllable lifestyle and above average compensation; 2) Shift of interest away from primary care; 3) Aging baby-boomers and more health conscience/exercise conscience, nonsurgical alternative seeking patients; 4) Opportunities for subspecialization (lacking in family medicine for example); 5) Biopsychosocial orientation of the specialty (while psychiatry runs to serotonin receptors and brain chemistry perhaps physiatrists will be the last physicians who really see the "big picture" issues of the patients we treat?)

MDs and DOs are EQUALLY well prepared to be great physiatrists. Rehabilitation medicine is a field invented by MDs. The field has historically been very open to DOs who indeed have some unique aspects of their training that are well suited to the field, but being a great physiatrist requires mastering diverse skill sets and areas of knowledge--internal medicine, neurology, orthopedics, sociology of disability, etc--a little extra background in musculoskeletal medicine won't make up for profound weaknesses in other areas.

Remember, 99% of PM&R residencies are ACGME programs in allopathic institutions. It's one thing to be proud, it's quite another thing to be annoyingly conceited or overconfident. Get my drift?