READ THIS: A Brief Guide to Osteopathic Medicine

[HalfListic]

Since this forum will soon be full of the next cycle of pre-DO's, I wanted to share a PDF that I really like about Osteopathic Medicine. Its a very quick, basic read with a LOT of information that can help flesh out what you are looking to go into:

http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/Documents/Brief-Guide-to-OME_Final.pdf


Happy reading and good luck this cycle 👍

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[3bamboo]

"The 2003 Maine Osteopathic Outcomes Study
(MOOS) set out to answer the question, “Do osteopathic
physicians differ in patient interaction from allopathic
physicians?” Researchers took audio-recordings of patient
visits with both MDs and DOs and used a 26-item index
of physician-patient communications considered to be
reflective of modern osteopathic principles to judge the
hypothesized difference in patient interaction. The study
found that the DOs demonstrated a more personal, “osteo
pathic” communication style based on the 26-item index
than did the MDs. The DOs were significantly more likely
to use the patient’s first name, discuss preventive mea
sures, and discuss the patient’s emotional state, family life,
and social activities. Despite the study being small (18 par
ticipant physicians and 54 patient visits total), it was con ducted in a double-blind fashion and offers important insights into the distinction between DOs and MDs"

Very nice, so I wasn't just imaging that the osteopathic doctors I had been around were excellent patient communicators - it has actually been tested! Good article. I'm glad I'm applying DO

 

[advair250]

"The 2003 Maine Osteopathic Outcomes Study
(MOOS) set out to answer the question, “Do osteopathic
physicians differ in patient interaction from allopathic
physicians?” Researchers took audio-recordings of patient
visits with both MDs and DOs and used a 26-item index
of physician-patient communications considered to be
reflective of modern osteopathic principles to judge the
hypothesized difference in patient interaction. The study
found that the DOs demonstrated a more personal, “osteo
pathic” communication style based on the 26-item index
than did the MDs. The DOs were significantly more likely
to use the patient’s first name, discuss preventive mea
sures, and discuss the patient’s emotional state, family life,
and social activities. Despite the study being small (18 par
ticipant physicians and 54 patient visits total), it was con ducted in a double-blind fashion and offers important insights into the distinction between DOs and MDs"

Very nice, so I wasn't just imaging that the osteopathic doctors I had been around were excellent patient communicators - it has actually been tested! Good article. I'm glad I'm applying DO

While that is nice and good to hear, that is hardly a significant sample size in terms of statistics.

 

[HalfListic]

I think its more of an informational brief than a scientific report

 

[hallowmann]

While that is nice and good to hear, that is hardly a significant sample size in terms of statistics.

I wouldn't be surprised if the assessment was accurate.

That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if the same result was shown comparing smaller/newer MD school graduates from schools that promote primary care to bigger "top-tier" MD school graduates. It probably has more to do with the teaching environment and goals of most DO applicants/schools as compared to most MD applicants/schools. I'm sure the MDs that went in wanting to do primary care to help their area and wanting lots of patient interaction would demonstrate similar bedside manner.

 

[HalfListic]

Again...this is a broad survey of Osteopathic Medicine. (not a comment about any one study or figure)



Its contents include:

Ch1 What is a DO?
Ch2 The Philosophy and History of Osteopathic Medicine
Ch3 Breaking down OMM
Ch4 Why apply to an Osteopathic Medical school

it has some facts and figures, myths and myth breaking, etc too...but thats the filler.



You can read the whole thing in one sitting:

A Brief Guide to Osteopathic Medicine







.

 

[gmcguitar4]

I generally just like to think I am going to medical school..not osteopathic school.

 

[pattr]

I generally just like to think I am going to medical school..not osteopathic school.

Sure, you know you are going to medical school, but a lot of people (allopathic students and attendings included) don't fully understand what DO's are or what osteopathic medical school is. I can't help but think of some of the USMD students I've met over the years who refuse to refer to osteopathic medical school as "medical school" but rather prefer to call it "DO school."

So it's up to us to educate those around us about our profession to raise awareness about who we really are.

 

[Mr Kenobi]

Sure, you know you are going to medical school, but a lot of people (allopathic students and attendings included) don't fully understand what DO's are or what osteopathic medical school is. I can't help but think of some of the USMD students I've met over the years who refuse to refer to osteopathic medical school as "medical school" but rather prefer to call it "DO school."

So it's up to us to educate those around us about our profession to raise awareness about who we really are.

The easiest way to explain it to these folks is that DOs are MD+.

 

[HalfListic]

The easiest way to explain it to these folks is that DOs are MD+.

Haha, exactly...they usually get it then

 

[HalfListic]

Sure, you know you are going to medical school, but a lot of people (allopathic students and attendings included) don't fully understand what DO's are or what osteopathic medical school is. I can't help but think of some of the USMD students I've met over the years who refuse to refer to osteopathic medical school as "medical school" but rather prefer to call it "DO school."

So it's up to us to educate those around us about our profession to raise awareness about who we really are.

Exactly...

It's obviously not about comparing yourself to an MD either. It's learning about your future profession. The earlier the better.

And, in the first place, this stuff helps you out during the application cycle, at the very least.

 

[pattr]

For anyone interested in DO school, check out this podcast from MedicalSchoolHQ!

Dr. Ryan Gray interviews the two DO students who wrote the "Brief Guide to Osteopathic Medicine" PDF which OP has recommended in this thread:

http://www.medicalschoolhq.net/session26

Dr. Gray has put together an amazing site for premeds with blogs and podcasts about the MCAT, the admissions process, and medical school in general and and even offers personal statement/application counseling services. I highly recommend you take a look!

 

[StudyShy]

For anyone interested in DO school, check out this podcast from MedicalSchoolHQ!

Dr. Ryan Gray interviews the two DO students who wrote the "Brief Guide to Osteopathic Medicine" PDF which OP has recommended in this thread:

http://www.medicalschoolhq.net/session26

Dr. Gray has put together an amazing site for premeds with blogs and podcasts about the MCAT, the admissions process, and medical school in general and and even offers personal statement/application counseling services. I highly recommend you take a look!

Cool, will have to check this out later! 🙂

 

[Skeeks]

Sure, you know you are going to medical school, but a lot of people (allopathic students and attendings included) don't fully understand what DO's are or what osteopathic medical school is. I can't help but think of some of the USMD students I've met over the years who refuse to refer to osteopathic medical school as "medical school" but rather prefer to call it "DO school."

So it's up to us to educate those around us about our profession to raise awareness about who we really are.

Haha, this reminded me of a time I was talking to my wife about the upcoming application cycle. I was saying that I thought our money was better placed applying to DO schools because of my numbers and nontrad status and she replied
"I still think you should apply to some medical schools too"
I still give her a hard time about it and ask her if she is ok if I decide not to go to medical school and become a witch doctor instead