What does a DO ACTUALLY do?

[skyblue2000]

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Ive read soooooooo many posts on DO vs carib schools...and this is kind in that direction.
BUT I want to know what a DO actually does when they see a patient? I am looking in that path, but I really don't want to touch people for an hour and figure out what may be the problem. I know there are DOs who move away from the OMM way and do pretty much what a MD does.

I just wanted a more detailed explanation of how a DO can do a AGME residency and move forward in a career that is the SAME as any other MD.

My stats are: 28Q, cGPA 3.6, sGPA 3.6 and CANADIAN! My citizenship is also another reason why I am looking more into DO than carib MD. Being Canadian will be a barrier no matter where I go, but I feel it will be easier as a DO opposed to FMG.

 

[drctother]

Look, as much as I love my fellow Canadians.... do a search. You just asked the most general re-asked question you can on SDN. It would be like traveling the world and every time you meet someone new they ask "where you from". My point: its been asked 1000 times, there is tons of details if you search. Also there is a 6 page forum dedicated to us (canadians) if you have questions

Im not hating im telling you the truth before others flame you

 

[Dr2B4Ever]

.

 

[TriagePreMed]

You're going about this the wrong way. If what you want to do is be an MD, go to MD school. Stop looking at DO as some form of "easy way in" or a backup and that your goal is to be an MD with a DO degree. If you've read "sooooo many" threads on DO vs. Caribbean, you shouldn't have a problem doing some research about what a DO does.

 

[Mohammed1989]

Darn Canadians ;-)

I agree 100% with triage if you really want those MD initials you should try at some MD med schools in the states too. I'm sure you know there's no difference you have read so many treads. Dont look at DO schools as a back up like some kids do. At the end your most likely going to be miserable just because of those initials.

I met a kid the other day in my college and the convo went like this:
Kid: so your interested in med school?
Me: yup going to do my best to get into med school
Kid: I know you want those MD intials not that DO crap
Me: Im actually only going for Do
Kid: no one wants those letters I know your going for MD

I just walked away at that point, some people really dont like DO's simply because of the intials. I say if you really want to become a DO, do it then if not stick to MD.

 

[wolverinepwns]

Only premeds worry about initials, when you start working in the medical field you'll realize it doesn't matter if you're a DO or an MD, when you're a doctor you're a doctor thats all that matters, the sooner you understand the better.

 

[orthomyxo]

Only premeds worry about initials, when you start working in the medical field you'll realize it doesn't matter if you're a DO or an MD, when you're a doctor you're a doctor thats all that matters, the sooner you understand the better.

I'm glad I realized this early. Ignorant pre-meds need to understand that your colleagues aren't going to give two ****s about the letters after your name. If you're good at what you do then it doesn't matter.

 

[Helen Wheels]

The bottom line is that there is almost no difference. DOs get more training in the musculoskeletal system and learn osteopathic manipulations. However, most DOs choose to use the manipulations very little to not at all in their practice. I have seen a couple of DOs over the years as a patient and I shadowed a DO recently. At the end of the day, there really isn't much difference.

IMHO the Caribbean schools are risky. Poor match rates and frankly, residency spots for FMG (which includes Caribbean schools) are getting more and more competitive and eventually all FMG spots could be eliminated in the US as med schools increase their enrollment but residency spots don't increase at the same rate.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

www.osteopathic.org

do your research and learn yourself about it. You have it all wrong at this point.