The DO Curriculum

[kapnut]

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How does the curriculum at DO schools compare to those at MD schools? Are the courses all the same?
If the curriculum is different, does it dirrect the DO student into a more primary care than surgical role in medicine?

 

[OSUdoc08]

How does the curriculum at DO schools compare to those at MD schools? Are the courses all the same?
If the curriculum is different, does it dirrect the DO student into a more primary care than surgical role in medicine?

The Basic Science Classes are the same.

The Clinical Skills classes may be taught in a different manner, due to D.O.'s being the teachers, but the skills learned will be the same.

DO's take the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine class on top of the usual M.D. classes.

If you go to a D.O. school, you can be guaranteed to learn all that you do in an M.D. school --> and more

 

[Fermata]

There's really very little difference.

My advice: go to whatever school is the cheapest.

 

[rescuetomm]

The basic science classes are all the same. The prior posts are correct. I can make the point that they are the same due to the fact that UW madison and U of Neb will allow DO transfers into their programs after the first two years.

 

[kapnut]

The basic science classes are all the same. The prior posts are correct. I can make the point that they are the same due to the fact that UW madison and U of Neb will allow DO transfers into their programs after the first two years.

is this common?

 

[Ypo.]

is this common?

No, definitely not common. Don't go the DO route expecting to be able to transfer into MD schools.

 

[OSUdoc08]

is this common?

Only under extreme circumstances. It is VERY difficult to transfer even in between DO schools.

 

[DrKT2009]

How does the curriculum at DO schools compare to those at MD schools? Are the courses all the same?
If the curriculum is different, does it dirrect the DO student into a more primary care than surgical role in medicine?

The D.O. curriculum is about the same as an M.D. school. The main difference is the OMM class, and I think they focus more on the physician-patient relationship a little more. Sometimes the curriculum is in a different format at the different schools (systems based vs. traditional science courses your first two years), but you will learn what you need to learn to become a wonderful physician. You can go online to compare the different curriculums, then you will be able to see for youself, but there really is not much difference.

As for your second question, D.O. schools do tend to have a more primary care approach -- some more than others. I have interviewed at DMU and KCUMB, and I have gotten into both. DMU is an excellent OMM school, and while at my interview, I did get the idea that they very geared towards primary care. They have the traditional science curriculum, and it is an excellent school. KCUMB, on the other hand, has a systems approach to medicine which is very good. They may still gear a little towards primary care, but I did not get this feeling while I was at the interview. The VP talked to us and told us the many KCUMB graduates which are department heads at M.D. schools, and the areas that they were in were not primary care related. They also have a club for every speciality; whereas, other schools that I read about only had clubs in primary care areas. You just have to do your research, and there are enough choices out there, that you should be able to find a great fit for you. Every school has something unique to offer to its students.

But, if you want to go into surgery, you can go that route going to a D.O. school. You just need to know and understand the philosphy of the osteopathic schools and decide if that both fits your personality and how you want to practice medicine.

 

[Doc 2b]

I understand your feeling about DO and surgery. I was in the same boat. Where I live there is a very reputable surgery program and one of the trauma surgeons there is a DO from UNE. Point being, you work hard, hard enough to get a surgery spot, it doesn't matter where you went. Go where you get in, DO or MD, this coming from the surgery chair at the same dept.

 

[babyruth]

I think DO school's seem like they are PC oriented because most are not heavily associated with research institutions and because the FP is the basis for all other specialties. You need to learn the basics of FP (or usually you do) before you move on. If you look at both DO and MD clinicals in the 3rd and 4th years, you will see a emphasis on FP rotations blocks and the electives part are then geared more toward personal interests (i.e. specialty fields).

PS DMU has over 35+ clubs and organizations including clubs like surgery, emergency medicine, preventative medicine, sports medicine, women's medical alliance, etc. etc. Our dean is an oncological surgeon and many of our students participate in SOSA (Student Osteopathic Surgery Association) and go to national conventions. Our research department has gotten more grant money within the last five years than they ever have in the past and will be taking off with the completion of the new facility to allow for more room. (sorry, will step off the DMU soapbox now--point being, we don't gear you towards FP only, but give you the basics befoer you start.)

 

[docslytherin]

is this common?

we had a student this year attempt to transfer to UMissouri but had to repeat his entire first year. that's probably more the norm.