When a DO takes the USMLE....

[uL007]

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Hi,

I was hoping someone could help me understand this...

What happens to an osteopathic student who graduates from an accredited U.S. medical school and takes the USMLE? From my understanding, they would still be a DO, right?

My doctor (MD) told me about her friend (DO) that did residency with her back in 1981. After residency, the friend did something "extra" and started to write MD behind his name. Is he misrepresenting himself... or were things different 23 years ago?

thanks for your help.

 

[DrMom]

The USMLE and COMLEX are licensing exams. Only schools confer degrees, not licensing exams. That means DO students become DOs no matter which exams they take (they all take the COMLEX, though).

An MBBS is considered equivalent to an MD, so that is why foreign-trained physicians who pass the licensing exams here use MD.

A few DOs go through a caribbean school and pay to also "earn" an MD.

The only other time I've seen DO, MD is the foreign physicians who go through a DO program in the US (as a means to prepare for licensing exams, I believe).


I'm sure someone else out there has some more info.

 

[H0mersimps0n]

I think there was a thread on this just a little while ago, try the search...

I think the short answer is your "DEGREE" is what goes after your name, your board certification has nothing to do with that and should not be part of your name... I know a DO neurologists that is MD board certified but he is still Joe Blow DO

If he is a MBBS, that's what belongs after his name. He will be MD board certified but that is not to be added to his name...

I'm sure there will be better/more clarification

 

[uL007]

Thanks, that makes a lot more sense

🙂

 

[sophiejane]

You are forgetting the very first one ever...

Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO 🙂

and he didn't have to take either the USMLE or the COMLEX!

 

[raptor5]

You are forgetting the very first one ever...

Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO

Dr. Andrew Still was never a DO. He never completed an Osteopathic medical school. A formality I know but one of the disadvantages of being the founder I guess.

 

[Dr JPH]

William Smith, M.D., a doctor who trained in Edinburgh, Scotland was the first person to recieve a D.O. degree.

I think Dr. Still's "D.O." is honorary, but deserved nonetheless.

 

[sophiejane]

osteo gunners. hmph. 🙂