So what are you going to do about it, punk?

[stoic]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So there are some really great threads going in this forum right now. Whichever "side" you're on, this is one of the most well thought out and civil debates I've EVER seen on SDN. This kind of professional debate is healthy and constructive. It's good to know that my future collegues are so intelligent, rational, and well spoken.

For those of you who are in the "change in DO education needed" camp (like me), what are we going to do about it? How can we make sure that our criticism of specific aspects of osteopathy is not the misinterpeted as criticism of the entire profession? What can we do to best futhur our cause and ensure that DO's have the brightest future possible? Is the AOA the answer? *How and what can changes can be made in osteopathic medicine that won't be construded as bowing down and giving into powerful hand of allopathic medicine?*

 

[drusso]

Here's a great article that is related to this discussion, "How Private Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Reinvented Themselves." It's a good read...

 

[fuegorama]

Stoic-
This discussion might start w/ a few words about what needs to remain unique about osteopathic education.
It is my hope that we are physicians first and DOs second. I frequently get the vibe around my school, at meetings, and on this board that members of the osteoptahic medicine want to remain some league of extraordinary caregivers removed from our allopathic partners. I disagree w/ this stance.
We are not superior. We are not the "true" followers of some healing path. We are future doctors/practicing physicians w/ a heavier bag o'tricks than some of our counterparts. However, we will remain an "also ran" until we demonstrate some equity of medical and post-graduate training.

The abandonment of our post-grad education by the AOA leaves us in a vacuum where we must make a new future.

I propose that the student bodies of all 22 (?) osteopathic programs request LCME review of their institutions. I suggest all of us take the USMLE + a modified examination of manipulation practice and theory. I further believe we should collectively pursue an expansion of all existing DO residencies to aggressively combine w/ ACGME programs.

Well...that's a start.

 

[drdrtoledo]

I should so be sleeping right now....4 exams this week. But I am excited about us possibly getting our message across as a unified group. To start, I am thinking a letter writing campaign, just to get our cause noticed. Possibly, to JAOA or DO magazine. I'm not sure if they'd publish it though (conflict of interest). Something that could publish an article about our concerns. We want students, residents, and alumni in on this one. Student governments are often afraid of speaking up in this matter. We may be proposing something a little radical for their liking. Perhaps, if we come up with a form letter/petition, have people in our classes sign it, we can get heard. It looks like NSU, LECOM, OUCOM, NYCOM, KCOM, OSUCOM, PCOM, MSUCOM, TUCOM, & VCOM all are represented on this board (I know there's more). If we can get a significant amount of signatures from each college we WILL have their attention. We need a well worded, professional letter that expresses our concerns and suggests possible solutions. It should ask for them to print a formal response to our question where everyone can see it. We will need an SDN Thomas Jefferson to write it. Once we have something most students will not be afraid to sign, we should start the campaign. I think this would be a good starting point, albeit difficult to organize. What do you guys think of that?

 

[fuegorama]

Well this moved down the board pretty quick.
I reckon griping's okay, but solution suggestions are passe.