Residency spots???

[TWP]

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Hey Guys,

Have just got all of my AACOMAS stuff in and I had a couple questions for those who might/do know. Before I get started I just want everyone to know that I'm genuinely curious about these questions and value all input. I see too many people ripping each other on these things, and it makes me a little nervous about posting, but here goes...

Became really interested in osteopathy this past 6 months or so working with a couple D.O.s in Texas. The whole approach and idea of total care is very appealing and feel like my personality and personal health opinions parallel osteo medicine. However, I am VERY interested in surgery and either spine/ortho or sports medicine (currently work in the field) but who knows after rounds. Still too early to say which way I might go.

My question is if already fighting for a spot in a tough residency are there any more limits to my goals being a D.O? I have read a lot here and on the AACOM webpage. I know they both D.O.s and M.Ds perform the same tasks andd are paid the same just curious with all the new schools going up if I or my future classmates are in for a rude awakening when it comes to match due to growing pains??? I have no problems working in podunk, USA just as long as the schools and hospitals are on the same page. I plan on doing my part by busting my butt, just wondering if anyone feels a little uneasy about the near future concerning res spots????

Please send me in the right direction if this is a repeat thread, thanks.

 

[Fermata]

A complicated question.

The most difficult part to that career path is obtaining the residency. After that, all things are pretty much equal.

There are two match systems for residencies. One in which only DO's can participate with just a select number of specialty residencies available. The other is open to MD's and DO's with the residencies typically being associated with MD programs with more sheer residency spots. However, there is a perceived bias against DO's in these specialties.

The general advice is to get good grades, board scores, LOR's and then to rotate at your program of highest interest and hope for the best.

 

[Orthodoc40]

Ortho/sports med is a competitive residency to get into whether you are going MD or DO.

It is definitely possible either way, though.
But keep in mind that most people change their minds about their specialty, sometimes more than once, before they are through med school. So worrying too much about that now seems very premature.

Good luck!

 

[TWP]

Ortho/sports med is a competitive residency to get into whether you are going MD or DO.

It is definitely possible either way, though.
But keep in mind that most people change their minds about their specialty, sometimes more than once, before they are through med school. So worrying too much about that now seems very premature.

Good luck!

Thanks Guys,

Just want to have all my bases covered and trying to make some decisions in picking schools. Have the tendency to worry about things that I don't have any power over. Figure that is how all of us SDNers work.

So...the take home message is good board scores, score well in clinicals, and do some traveling to possible residency spots and work your butt off????

 

[Nickelpennykid]

I don't think that new schools will be that big of a concern with respect to increasing residency competition, at least initially. If they are like the others that recently opened, thier first class will prob. have some troubles with thier first class taking the borads. In general, newer schools have lower stats for thier incoming students and since the MCAT is a decent predictor of COMLEX/USMLE, chances are alot of the new students from new schools will likely not compete strongly for the competative residencies. This may very well change as the schools work out the early kinks. This, however, does not mean that some of the students from the new school won't compete for ortho or other competive spots.

Some said in another thread that the new PA school will have a primary care focus (like WVSOM maybe???).

I will not get back into my belief that opening alot of new schools in a short pd. of time will not fix the predicted "doctor shortage," which extends beyond just adding more primary care people.

 

[TWP]

Should I not even worry about the new schools? After reading a lot about the new AT-Mesa school I am very interested. However, does everything point towards lower board scores until the said schools have a couple years under their belt? I know that scores are dependent on many many things including just preparing for them like a mo'fo. Just curious if anyone has dealt with problems with possible scheduling, no real chance at review, etc??? Thanks in advance