Why ACGME?

[munchymanRX]

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So maybe this is a rookie question, but is there any advantage to doing an ACGME residency over an AOA one? Why do roughly half of DO's opt for an allo residency and take the USMLEs on top of the COMLEX?

I understand the AOA does not have residencies in certain specialties, but there's a discrepancy between the number of students that match ACGME to these specialties and those that apply outside of the osteo match.

I guess I'm not understanding what's going on. Does doing an AOA program put you at a disadvantage? Is it the quality of programs that people are concerned with?

 

[Longshanks]

A mix of the following:
-There aren't enough AOA positions for all graduating DOs, so they need to spill over into ACGME.
-Some have concerns with quality and believe ACGME sites are of better quality, but that all depends on your goals and what type of settings you prefer. Some AOA sites are great and dually accredited sites shouldn't be an issue. Lehigh Valley comes to mind for example.
-If you are looking for an academic setting or focused program, there are more options through ACGME. Equally if one is interested in certain fellowships, there are a lack of options through AOA (at least in terms of location), and one would be better suited to do an ACGME residency before attempting to get into an ACGME fellowship, rather than coming from an AOA residency.
-Whether you take USMLE on top of COMLEX depends on what programs you're applying for. Some only take step 2 of USMLE, again depends on the program and check out some of the other forums below.
-Location.. people want to expand their options on location since most AOA programs are in MI, PA, and NY (and other midwestern states).

 

[nlax30]

The post above is spot on.

Many reasons....
-interested in a specialty with no or very limited DO spots (path comes to mind)
- interested in certain geographical region with no DO programs
- perception that a particular ACGME program is "better" than a DO one
- access to more traditional academic programs with associated fellowships

 

[MightyMoose]

A mix of the following:
-There aren't enough AOA positions for all graduating DOs, so they need to spill over into ACGME.
-Some have concerns with quality and believe ACGME sites are of better quality, but that all depends on your goals and what type of settings you prefer. Some AOA sites are great and dually accredited sites shouldn't be an issue. Lehigh Valley comes to mind for example.
-If you are looking for an academic setting or focused program, there are more options through ACGME. Equally if one is interested in certain fellowships, there are a lack of options through AOA (at least in terms of location), and one would be better suited to do an ACGME residency before attempting to get into an ACGME fellowship, rather than coming from an AOA residency.
-Whether you take USMLE on top of COMLEX depends on what programs you're applying for. Some only take step 2 of USMLE, again depends on the program and check out some of the other forums below.
-Location.. people want to expand their options on location since most AOA programs are in MI, PA, and NY (and other midwestern states).

This is a pretty solid summary. The only thing I could add is that in some AOA programs (I believe EM is in this category) there is an additional mandatory year of residency tacked on.