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- May 2, 2006
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When I was trying to decide which area of medicine I wanted to pursue, I shadowed many types of physicians. One of my very close friends is an Emergency Medicine Resident at the local university hospital. I asked him if he would mind if I shadowed him some. He said, "not at all." While in the ER, I had the opportunity to meet many of the attendings and residents.
Probably one-third of the residents are D.O.'s at this hospital. All of the residents were very cordial to one another, worked well together, etc. However, when the MD's got together, I heard such comments as, "All we need are more glorified chiropractors" and "we don't need anymore D.O.'s around here." Ofcourse, as soon as one walked in the room, everything was honkey dorey again.
Why do I bring this up?
Well, this story really has nothing to do with D.O.'s or M.D.'s, but it is to make a point. Outside of our respective professions, there are always going to be people that will dislike us and slander us behind our backs. Recently, a podiatrist friend of mine told me that a local orthopod, whom he has always had good relations, talked trash about him to a patient, who had gone to the orthopod for a shoulder surgery. "Why would you want to go to a podiatrist, when I can take care of all of your orthopaedic needs?"
No matter what we do, how much education we attain, how much scope of practice we attain, etc., there will always be the "haters." Though, I believe that most of us don't care, I will occassionally read a post by a pod student that says they're concerned about being accepted. Don't worry, you will be. Unlike other health professions, the AMA has never criticized our field and has in fact commended us as a necessary part of health care.
Keep your heads up and let all the other people drink their nice big glasses of "HATERADE."

Probably one-third of the residents are D.O.'s at this hospital. All of the residents were very cordial to one another, worked well together, etc. However, when the MD's got together, I heard such comments as, "All we need are more glorified chiropractors" and "we don't need anymore D.O.'s around here." Ofcourse, as soon as one walked in the room, everything was honkey dorey again.
Why do I bring this up?
Well, this story really has nothing to do with D.O.'s or M.D.'s, but it is to make a point. Outside of our respective professions, there are always going to be people that will dislike us and slander us behind our backs. Recently, a podiatrist friend of mine told me that a local orthopod, whom he has always had good relations, talked trash about him to a patient, who had gone to the orthopod for a shoulder surgery. "Why would you want to go to a podiatrist, when I can take care of all of your orthopaedic needs?"
No matter what we do, how much education we attain, how much scope of practice we attain, etc., there will always be the "haters." Though, I believe that most of us don't care, I will occassionally read a post by a pod student that says they're concerned about being accepted. Don't worry, you will be. Unlike other health professions, the AMA has never criticized our field and has in fact commended us as a necessary part of health care.
Keep your heads up and let all the other people drink their nice big glasses of "HATERADE."


