The Future of DO

[hev]

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I love the idea and the philosophy behind osteopathic medicine and I know that I want to be a physician. I have heard some scary things about the possible future of osteopathic medicine though...What I want to know is:

If I get good grades and a good board score will I still be able to successfully match into a strong FM or OBGYN residency? And after that, will I be able to have a job? Will my degree become obsolete?

Just some concerns about the future.

 

[cliquesh]

I think since the late 1990's every year has been better for DOs than the previous year.

 

[postbacpremed87]

I think one should go DO with realistic expectations (if wanting highly competitive ACGME spot), but it is a better investment than the Caribbean for sure. The numbers back me up. You can be a successful family practitioner or obstetrician as a DO. Once you are there, then the only thing you will be judged on is the quality of care you provide. Period. The moral of the story is that you should bust your *** in medical school, be it MD or DO, and score well on USMLE/COMLEX. These are what will open up doors for you. Yes some schools prepare their students better than others, but for the most part your success will depend on the effort put in be YOU.

 

[beBrave]

I think the future of DO is pretty bright. The exception is that the DO representing bodies are having a hard time coming to an agreement that will help improve the availability for Residency spots. DO vs Caribbean Med school is always the way to go. It's better to have a patient walk away because of your initials than to run the risk of fighting tooth and nail to prove that your degree meets the accreditation requirements and even then, US MD's and DO's will be favored for Residency spots.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

I think since the late 1990's every year has been better for DOs than the previous year.

I agree, I have found more and more information suggesting that the future for DO's is really good and that there is a general convergence of thought that DO=MD in the practicing world. Not only because DO training is becoming stronger than it has been in many cases, but also simply because more DO's are graduating and entering the workforce as equally trained physicians.

 

[cabinbuilder]

I think one should go DO with realistic expectations (if wanting highly competitive ACGME spot)

To the OP, please note that not every DO goes into medical school thinking about an MD residency spot. If you are looking at FP or OB then an AOA residency will suit you just fine. When reading these forums it's easy to get the idea that an AOA residency is somehow inferior and that DO's try not to go this route. This simply is not true and the future of being a DO is just fine.

 

[postbacpremed87]

To the OP, please note that not every DO goes into medical school thinking about an MD residency spot. If you are looking at FP or OB then an AOA residency will suit you just fine. When reading these forums it's easy to get the idea that an AOA residency is somehow inferior and that DO's try not to go this route. This simply is not true and the future of being a DO is just fine.

I never said AOA residencies weren't fine. It is the truth that ACGME is an option for DO's and traditionally competitive specialties in the ACGME match pick MD over DO...that's why I said realistic expectation...for ACGME match if OP so chooses

 

[cabinbuilder]

I never said AOA residencies weren't fine. It is the truth that ACGME is an option for DO's and traditionally competitive specialties in the ACGME match pick MD over DO...that's why I said realistic expectation...for ACGME match if OP so chooses

Sorry, I wasn't aiming my comment at you in a negative way, just using your phrasing for the OP to understand that not every DO looks at an ACGME residency. It gets tiresome reading these boards as they tend to imply that a DO residency is somehow inferior or undesirable.

 

[postbacpremed87]

There are amazing AOA residencies. I agree that people overlook this. I think we have it better because we have both options.

 

[hev]

Thank you all! I am facing a lot of doubt from well-meaning family telling me that I won't be able to get a job/be respected etc.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Thank you all! I am facing a lot of doubt from well-meaning family telling me that I won't be able to get a job/be respected etc.

There is a serious doctor shortage in the country. Obama has forced out many older physicians early do to all the EMR crap we now have to face. Most don't do both outpatient and inpatient anymore- it takes too much time with all the computer charting and order entry. You will always have a job as a DO or MD, more so in primary care where the shortage is the greatest.

 

[postbacpremed87]

Not to mention people practice part-time nowadays (their right to do so). This raises productivity issues which necessitates a larger physician work force as well.

 

[Roxas]

Thank you all! I am facing a lot of doubt from well-meaning family telling me that I won't be able to get a job/be respected etc.

I feel ya on this one. I applied both MD and DO, and my mom only refers to MD schools as "medical schools"

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

I suggest to both of you that you spend some time if you haven't already and shadow a DO, preferably one in IM or EM, that way you can see them practicing quality medicine side by side with MDs. Once you see this, any and all arguments by friends, family etc become useless. You realize that their well intentions are based 100% on ignorance.

I respect my pop in many ways. He's an amazing man but when I mentioned I was also applying DO he gave me a load of crap. This was AFTER I had spent hours in an ER where MDs and DOs work together and the chair is actually a DO.... All this in a relatively DO unfriendly state... I realized he was simply wrong. Just because they haven't heard as much about something doesn't mean it doesn't exist heh... But I am sure that my dad... Who has never gone to college and has not worked on getting into med school for years has a pretty strong understanding of the medical system and different types of doctors etc.

so do yourself a favor and see for yourself. It will really help your internal goals as you go through this process