Trying to decide between DPT and MD/DO

[nangus]

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Hey I just need some opinions here.

I have recently been accepted to a DPT program that will start in January. However, I have become aware of the PM&R specialty in medicine.

So here is the problem. I can't decide if I want to forgo the acceptance and try my chances at medicine, which would require me to take organic this year and apply for 2013 matriculation, or go ahead with DPT and see if I still want to pursue PM&R after getting into the workplace.

So the ideal timelines would be as such:

DPT to PM&R: Jan 2012-Dec 2014 for DPT, then ~2-3 years for debt repayment and pre-req completion, followed by the 8 years of medical training.

MD/DO: August 2013 - May 2017, then internship/residency culminating around 2021

 

[DancerFutureDPT]

Have you shadowed a PM&R doc at all? If not, do that first...see if it's really something you would even want to do. Sometimes people have misconceptions about professions, so doing an informational interview with a PM&R physician and shadowing would be a good way to learn more.

If you think you ultimately want to be an MD/DO, and wouldn't be happy as a DPT, then don't do a PT program. I wouldn't recommend doing PT as a stepping stone to MD/DO. If you know you want to be a physician, then just do that in the first place.

 

[TheOx777]

I agree with Dancer's sentiments. Shadow a PMR doc, ask him/her questions about the pros/cons of a career in medicine. I would also explain to them that you are considering a career in Physical Therapy, yet you want to explore the possibility of being a PMR doc. I also know that if you do indeed go into medicine that you should keep an open mind, because you will do clinical rotations across great depths and breadths, thus you may change you mind about the type of physician you may want to be. I, too, have considered the possibility of medical school so I think i understand why you may be confounded at this time. The biggest thing I would say is to get as much information as possible so that whatever path you decide you don't feel as if you cheated yourself.

 

[johncronejr]

Absolutely go shadow a PM&R doctor, and other specialties as the above posters have suggested. I heavily considered med school, but did so after I was already so close to graduating with my bachelors that did not include many of the prereqs for med school. This made me have to look at yet another year of taking prereqs just to apply. I was already locked in and accepted to PT school so it created a lot of hours of deep thought. In the end, I realized that PT is what I am truly interested in and it is what I can see myself doing. I think I was looking at being on the "top of the totem pole" and the salary difference.

I am very happy with my decision to attend PT school.

 

[hefe]

Hah, I was in the same decision as johnc late last fall/spring, similar to you nangus.

If I looked at med school in high school or freshman year I just probably would have spent 4 years getting pumped up about that over PT school. However, its extremely easy to look back from where I am now and say such things. Then I would have not considered it, I either didn't have the right guidance or fortitude (parents were hands-off) at 18.

I would have had a 2 year gap if I cancelled my PT acceptance, and were to apply to med school. On top of that, I couldn't bear having to re-apply and have poor employment outlook 2-3 years since I didn't choose that great of major (Ex Sci).

I also had a very hard time justifying the debt load, especially given the fantastic financial aid (via work) I've been given while in PT school. A 120-200k difference is rather drastic given the prospect to carry near zero debt.

Another thing that I hated was the lack of flexibility that the med process places on where you go to residency and possibly few choices of where I'd go to med school (many apply broadly, but only get into a few of their schools). Residency is a future gamble 4 years in the future of where you'll be chosen. Could turn out great, but too unpredictable for that 4 year window.

They both are different, but aren't light-years different (except the salary equation).

I'm a person who believes he can be happy in a few different careers. I'm not sure why everyone feels like they have 1 career that defines them the rest of their lives. In fact, statistics show you've significantly change careers 3+ times through your working life. I'm an open person, lets see how things shake out.

Maybe in 10-20 years I can give you a better response, but for now I'm perfectly happy with my plan/path at the PT school I'm at. Money/self-control are only part of the equation for my path to personal success.

I remain optimistic, haha as I write this just going into finals...

 

[hefe]

Also, going into PT school, then planning to go into med school is just too long and likely too expensive to do.

You'd still need to take that 1 yr sequence of O-chem like I would have had to do too. That could cause a gap year and further delay yourself.

Pick what you like now and do that, it's too much work/stress in my book to fathom doing both. Seems counterproductive as well.

 

[nangus]

Thanks for all the feedback, it is good to know that I'm not the only one who has dealt with this kind of second-guessing. I think it is a curse to be interested in so many different things, it makes it had to commit to one profession.

Like you all have suggested I think I will continue on in my pursuit of PT, as I have already gotten a seat and I know it is something I can and will enjoy.

I think graduation looming in the near future has kind of startled me. It is kind of scary to me to think 'college' is almost over.

Thanks again for all the feedback, good luck to all of you in your education and careers.