Research question

[Chronotropic]

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Hi I'm applying to DO schools this year and had a question.

Do DOs get good oppurtunities for lab research after school and residency? I know that there are DOs who do research but they seem to be far and few between. Is this because there are so few DOs? Are DOs just not that interested in research? Or a combination both?

I'm hoping that there isn't some ol boys club running the research programs around the country. My passion is clinical practice but I love doing lab research and was hoping to be able to do it in conjucture with my clinical work in the future.

Thx

 

[oceandocDO]

Much of it depends on what school you're talking about. D.O. schools definitely dont stress research as much as MD schools, as evidenced by the slight differences in the two step I board exams. However, most D.O. schools do have very active labs. Be proactive and search it out. It wont find you. I know the Texas school has a very impressive research center. MSU and Oklahoma may have some programs affiliated with their undergraduate programs you can hop on for publication. NYCOM does alot of work in Parkinsons and some neuro trauma. FYI... OMM research often combines clinical medicine with lab research to prove the mechanisms behind some of the theory, which may be your type of thing.

D.O. schools have made it a priority to increase their research habits over the next 5-10 years. It'll happen. The problem is most D.O. schools are relatively young and got into the game after the days of the 60s and 70s when the government was giving out money hand over fist for medical schools to start major research initiatives.

good luck.

 

[DrSmiles]

UHS-COM is in the process of building a brand new research center- due for completion some time this year. They are also collaborating with several nearby research institutions in the Kansas City area. I think in the next few years it will be an expectation or at least a strong encouragement, that students/faculty at UHS participate in research. I agree with the above post in that DO schools are finally jumping ahead with research, although I don't ever expect it to be at the level of the allopathic schools that focus primarily on academic research. Most allopathic schools are state run, and therefore get more funding for research. The private allopathic schools that are involved with research are the big hitters (and I know we don't need to name them all) and have been in the reseach scene a long time- and again like the previous post mentioned, receiving lots of money from places like NIH is not an issue. Although as a side note...I heard UHS received some money from NIH to complete their research center. So I think there will be more research opportunities at some of the osteopathic schools, but again, it depends on the school.

 

[Chronotropic]

Will this research center be up and running by 2004? If so that would be great. UHS is one of the DO schools I'm applying to.

 

[DrSmiles]

The UHS center was supposed to be finished by this summer, but I think with the weather they may be a bit behind. It will for sure be done by 2004- it looks like it might even be completed by this fall.

 

[group_theory]

Although research oppertunities are available in DO school, please be advise that it is limited in comparison to many MD schools.

DO schools are just beginning to focus on research so there's a lot of catching up to do.

If you truly want to do basic science research - go MD school (Penn and Hopkins gets around half a billion dollars from NIH EACH for research).

 

[Chronotropic]

Well my goal isn't to do exclusively research or even spend the majority of my career in research. I just want to know that I will have the option of doing some research in the future if I pursue a DO.

 

[jhubiophysics]

You bet you can do research if you have the interest. Check places such as NIH, Lupus foundation, UA, and many other organizations. You will find that some research directors are D.O.s. They participate in both clinical and basic science research.

One of the most involved osteopathic medical schools in research both clinical and basic science is KCOM.

Good Luck..

 

[jkhamlin]

Unfortunately for those of us very interested in both Osteopathic Medicine and research, there is not a large focus on research in Osteopathic schools.
I plan on doing a DO/PhD at OSUCOM. MSUCOM also has a DO/PhD program. I am sure a couple others do too. These are the type of program for those interested in doing research as a physician. It would be a good idea for you to consider these programs. I talked to both UHSCOM and KCOM admissions reps and they have tentative plans for this, but they admit that they are very behind the game for full blown research programs.

HTH

 

[drusso]

UNTHSC-TCOM has a very active research program and a non-federally funded DO/PhD MSTP in addition to DO/MS and DO/MPH programs.

UNTHSC Research Stuff

There is also a OMM-specific research center at TCOM with a NIH funded K-30 DO/MS program for those interested in clinical research in osteopathic manipulative medicine.

Osteopathic Research Center

 

[DrSmiles]

Also keep in mind that you don't have to be involved with research at the school itself. I think there are a few students in my class are involved with research at KU medical school and I am sure there are a few at UMKC as well. Plus Kansas City has several private research centers that I am sure would be more than happy to take a medical student on board- you might even get credit for it through school, or at least transcript notation. Stowers Research Institute just opened up in Kansas City- it is private, and I am sure that several labs could use some help. It just means you have to do some of the leg work yourself, but it can be done. Unfortunately, if you are looking at DO/PhD, then you will have to go to the schools that offer this degree, and there are only a few schools that offer this.
I think UHS will eventually offer this program, but probably not for another 2 or 3 years (although I am just speculating).