Now that I defended my institution, KCOM, I have another issue with FREEEDOMs comments.
You discuss in your posts about how osteopathic hospitals are sub-par in comparision to clinical training received at "university" based Allopathic Hospitals. You inaccurately state that osteopathic training is not good simply based on the fact that they don't have major University based training hospitals of their own.
Fact #1: Most osteopathic residency training sites aren't "university" based, rather "community based".
Fact #2: Likewise, most allopathic residency training sites AREN'T "university" based, rather "community based".
So, what is your point??? Most allopathic programs aren't university based either??? If you wanted to go to a big, major, more prestigous (in your view, "better") "university based hospital", then you should have gotten into one of those medical schools from the beginning.
Your right, they are different programs, and offer many advantages (but also disadvantages in my view). Your perception should be that "University" training is better than "Community" hospital training. That is a fair argument, and is both debatable and a big decision to make. You state many of them: having contact with more clinical faculty/residents etc, broader experiences and exposure, better didactics, exposure to newer treatments/technology (hardly could a community based system put together a strong didactic program). But, for each one of the advantages at a university program, I could state just as many disadvantages or advantages by going to a community hospital: less competition for procedures (1st assist in surgery), less traffic as to spend more time with mentors/patients, more exposure to primary care opportunities, etc, etc.
That decision is entirely a personal choice and view, depending on what "type" of physician you want to become, or what "type" of person you are, what environement you learn best in. But, it is entirely unacceptable to simply state that osteopathic clinical training sucks because they aren't University based.
You should be honest then, Osteopathic Medicine isn't in line with your goals and dreams. But, the osteopathic establishment doesn't boast anything they don't offer. They boast primary care primarily, holisitic opportunities to become the BEST primary care physician you can become. And they deliver on that promise!!
It does not negate osteopathic medicine because we don't boast huge 500+ bed teaching hospitals as opportunites for training. Osteopathic medicine, in line with its philosophy and teaching, strongly desires to produce community based, primary care physicians. Or, specialist' that will go out and practice community medicine, with a primary care appreciation. That is our primary goal, #1. Further, many programs want to produce rural, primary care physicians. Your not going to be seeing many opportunities with major university-based hospitals with that kind of perspective. That is the osteopathic tradition.
I am sick and tired of osteopathic students getting into the profession, and then wanting to go to BIG, "Major Medical Centers" to do training. Well, folks, osteopathic medicine never promised that, and never will. That is not the goal of osteopathic medicine!!!!!! Rather, you should have worked harder at getting into a "university based medical school from the beginning" if that is what you wanted.
But, don't sit here and be unhappy because the osteopathic profession doesn't offer that to you. The osteopathic profession doesn't have to, because it is not in our interest.
You should have done research on that prior to matriculating then if you didn't like the opportunities available. MOST osteopathic students are happy with their training, it fits their personality, goals, futures, and dreams.
Peace!
