Really?

[futurehealer117]

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Hey guys,

I want to be a Doc I couldn't care less if it's a D.O. or M.D. degree, because I know great docs who are both.

All ribbing aside how many of people out there TRULY feel that D.O.'s are less qualified or inferior to the M.D.'s?

I know it seems like this has beaten to death (and it has) but I just don't see how anyone in this day in age can honestly have this attitude given all the large advancements of osteopathic medicine. Any thoughts from residents and attendings would be greatly appreciated.

 

[starfishprime]

I know it seems like this has beaten to death (and it has) but I just don't see how anyone in this day in age can honestly have this attitude given all the large advancements of osteopathic medicine.

Do spinal manipulations cure polio, now?
That's the fundamental tenet of osteopathy, yes?

 

[JaggerPlate]

Hey guys,

I want to be a Doc I couldn't care less if it's a D.O. or M.D. degree, because I know great docs who are both.

All ribbing aside how many of people out there TRULY feel that D.O.'s are less qualified or inferior to the M.D.'s?

I know it seems like this has beaten to death (and it has) but I just don't see how anyone in this day in age can honestly have this attitude given all the large advancements of osteopathic medicine. Any thoughts from residents and attendings would be greatly appreciated.

Dude, why?? Honestly ... just why?? Opening up this thread is just a can of worms and all this is going to do is create a flame war. I don't think it's any secret that I'm applying to DO schools, and feel very strongly that the DO degree is a fantastic opportunity. However, let me outline the reasons why people feel this way:

-There are certain ACGME residencies that still have a DO bias. Should they?? I dunno .. why not, they are MD residencies?? AOA residencies aren't open to MDs. However, DOs match wonderfully in ACGME for the most part.
-The small differences in gpa/mcat. Especially with newer DO schools. This difference is shrinking and honestly will probably come to a point where it barely exists. Schools like Western and DMU have averages at 3.5/3.6 and 28ish. Not very far off the 3.5/30 imo.
-It's not the MD. A lot of people see it as MD or bust, or think MD as doctor.
-The past. DOs today weren't the same as MDs 50 years ago ... and changing perception takes a long time.
-AOA residencies can (from what I've heard) very a lot in quality and not much in geographical location.
-A lot of DO schools aren't attached to big universities.
-DO schools popping up like mad
-RVU (sorry, but it is a factor)
-People who have the DO = MD + sum mentality, or put too much stock into OMM as a modality above traditional treatment.
-etc

People have their own issues. I personally try to not let it bother me. A lot of people who have very vocal complaints honestly don't know much about DOs, and I've always felt like most MD students and residents see both good and bad MD and DO, and understand that they are well trained. Be realistic. Don't go into a DO school expecting to land integrated PRS at Harvard, but don't buy into the blabber that DOs are only suited for PC fields or you can never do x speciality as a DO. Will you maybe have to work really hard and complete your ortho residency in MI?? Yeah. Will you be an ortho surgeon at the end of the day ... yes.

I personally would be VERY grateful and happy to attend a DO school. Just work hard, go where you get in, and don't worry about it. And NEVER, EVER create an MD vs DO thread on SDN.

 

[RySerr21]

the idea that DOs are somehow less than MDs is completely outdated. Youll have to search long and hard to find a practicing physician who actually looks down upon DOs. Both degrees are well respected in the medical community, and for good reason. Now, a mod should close this thread before it gets ugly.

 

[majahops]

In reality, a D.O. can be as good as an M.D. at the practice of his or her own medicine. Yes.

The problem comes with the public interpretation/understanding of the D.O. I don't know that the public has been adequately informed that D.O.'s do (basically) the same medical training as M.D.s and have (basically) the same education as M.D.'s. But hopefully, in time, this will change.

To be honest, I don't even think there should be a D.O. classification. I think that Osteopathic medicine should be one branch of allopathic medicine... particularly since so many D.O.s end up going into allopathic medicine... Just saying... but that has nothing to do with my feelings about the quality of D.O.s as docs. They can be DAMN DAMN good!

 

[RySerr21]

In reality, a D.O. can be as good as an M.D. at the practice of his or her own medicine. Yes.

The problem comes with the public interpretation/understanding of the D.O. I don't know that the public has been adequately informed that D.O.'s do (basically) the same medical training as M.D.s and have (basically) the same education as M.D.'s. But hopefully, in time, this will change.

To be honest, I don't even think there should be a D.O. classification. I think that Osteopathic medicine should be one branch of allopathic medicine... particularly since so many D.O.s end up going into allopathic medicine... Just saying... but that has nothing to do with my feelings about the quality of D.O.s as docs. They can be DAMN DAMN good!

what? the practice of osteopathic medicine is no different than allopathic medicine. You don't have DOs that practice "allopathic medicine" you just have DOs that practice medicine. Just like you have MDs that practice medicine. Or are you using the term "ostopeathic" to refer to the select few that use or specliaize in OMM? So the "osteopathic branch" that you suggest would be MDs who choose to learn OMM?

 

[usermike8500]

If you had a rare, potentially fatal illness, whom would you want calling the shots for your treatment, a physician with an M.D. or one with a D.O?

 

[JeetKuneDo]

what? the practice of osteopathic medicine is no different than allopathic medicine. You don't have DOs that practice "allopathic medicine" you just have DOs that practice medicine. Just like you have MDs that practice medicine. Or are you using the term "ostopeathic" to refer to the select few that use or specliaize in OMM? So the "osteopathic branch" that you suggest would be MDs who choose to learn OMM?

Yeah, wouldn't that basically be it, just have MD's that learn OMM. From what I've read in the forums (and correct me if I'm wrong), that's pretty much the only difference between an MD and DO school, right? I'm wondering whether it would be beneficial or not if all DO schools just became "MD" since medicine is just medicine.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

If you had a rare, potentially fatal illness, whom would you want calling the shots for your treatment, a physician with an M.D. or one with a D.O?

Well, in this case I'm assuming I'd be seeing a specialist, so I'd like the specialist that has the best credentials/track record.

 

[RySerr21]

If you had a rare, potentially fatal illness, whom would you want calling the shots for your treatment, a physician with an M.D. or one with a D.O?

Neither, Id go with a PA.

Yeah, wouldn't that basically be it, just have MD's that learn OMM. From what I've read in the forums (and correct me if I'm wrong), that's pretty much the only difference between an MD and DO school, right? I'm wondering whether it would be beneficial or not if all DO schools just became "MD" since medicine is just medicine.

Yea that really is the only difference (the OMM). The whole changing the title discussion is a pretty heated debate. I dont really know too much about it so i never really get into it, but it is apparent that a lot of people would be pretty unhappy if that ever were to happen. I agree with you though, medicine is medicine. If you practice it well, then that should be the end of discussion and it shouldnt matter where you went to school or what your initials are after your name.

 

[JaggerPlate]

If you had a rare, potentially fatal illness, whom would you want calling the shots for your treatment, a physician with an M.D. or one with a D.O?

And here weeee gooo .....


I'd want a physician, period.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

Neither, Id go with a PA.



Yea that really is the only difference (the OMM). The whole changing the title discussion is a pretty heated debate. I dont really know too much about it so i never really get into it, but it is apparent that a lot of people would be pretty unhappy if that ever were to happen. I agree with you though, medicine is medicine. If you practice it well, then that should be the end of discussion and it shouldnt matter where you went to school or what your initials are after your name.

Ryserr, on a tangent, a while ago you sent me that site for mentoring from a local DO. Been a while and the specialties I listed for haven't answered back. You think I should just fill out the surveys like a maniac until I get a response?

 

[thegetupkid]

Hey guys,

I want to be a Doc I couldn't care less if it's a D.O. or M.D. degree, because I know great docs who are both.

All ribbing aside how many of people out there TRULY feel that D.O.'s are less qualified or inferior to the M.D.'s?

I know it seems like this has beaten to death (and it has) but I just don't see how anyone in this day in age can honestly have this attitude given all the large advancements of osteopathic medicine. Any thoughts from residents and attendings would be greatly appreciated.

I personally don't think the difference is that huge these days. Still, this perception likely arises from the fact that it is considered (by some) "easier" to get into DO schools...

 

[NotAndrew]

And here weeee gooo .....


I'd want a physician, period.

👍👍

I think the problem is the general public does not know what a D.O. is. Until I considered attending mschool I believed that every doctor in the US had an MD and had no clue that another degree existed.

 

[Bacchus]

I don't think so, folks.