Why do people go to the carribean when they can do D.O?

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

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This has turned into another DO vs. Caribbean debate.

So I am going to go to SGU rather than applying DO. This cycle I did apply to a few DO schools but I felt like I just didn't know enough about the history or the profession. Also I would just be cheating someone who actually really wants to be a DO. The only reason I applied was to use as a back up, so in the end I didn't do any secondaries.

I have always wanted to be a MD and isn't just going to SGU for the 2 letters. I think the change will be good for me. I want to be at a place that I know I could do my best. I like the diversity at SGU, I like how it's FAR away (no distractions), I like that there is nothing to do (once again less distractions), I like the long breaks we get, I think the nice weather and scenic tropical setting will ease my nerves...

I think everyone has their different reasons. No one should look at anyone going to SGU or DO and say anything because you don't' know what they have been through. I would re-apply if I could but honestly I'm ready to move on! I'm 25 and at a point in my life I need drastic change from doing this pre-med thing.

Anyways thought I would give some input as I think I am the only person here that can relate to the OP's original post.

This post sounds like it's just a bunch of rationalization. All of the reasons you have cited for wanting to go to SGU are really just responses to the many issues people raise about carib schools. You didn't know enough about the history of the profession? You completed the primary AACOMAS app but couldn't spend an hour or two to educate yourself about the specifics of the osteopathic educational process?

Sounds like intellectual dishonesty. Why not just admit that you want the initials MD instead of DO after your name? Contrary to what many people say, there's nothing wrong with that! You're spending the rest of your life pursuing this objective, so you get to choose how you want to do it. If that means making sure you have an MD, that's your right.

 

[thamsenman]

I saw someone from St. George's match at Harvard and someone from DO schools match at Stanford.

Do well at either and you can do fine.

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

I saw someone from St. George's match at Harvard and someone from DO schools match at Stanford.

Do well at either and you can do fine.

Sample size of TWO. Excellent argument.

 

[thamsenman]

Sample size of TWO. Excellent argument.

so bitter and nasty 🙁

 

[Ilvcurst]

Let me know if it's a distraction or not when you're in a third world country with no hot water, intermittent electricity, big MFing mosquitos and hamburgers that cost 15 bucks.

I actually grew up in a third world country w/o indoor plumbing, electricity, central heating...and I don't eat hamburgers.

 

[Ilvcurst]

This post sounds like it's just a bunch of rationalization. All of the reasons you have cited for wanting to go to SGU are really just responses to the many issues people raise about carib schools. You didn't know enough about the history of the profession? You completed the primary AACOMAS app but couldn't spend an hour or two to educate yourself about the specifics of the osteopathic educational process?

Sounds like intellectual dishonesty. Why not just admit that you want the initials MD instead of DO after your name? Contrary to what many people say, there's nothing wrong with that! You're spending the rest of your life pursuing this objective, so you get to choose how you want to do it. If that means making sure you have an MD, that's your right.

Sigh...I didn't want to post on this thread because of stuff like this. Okay sorry if I didn't explain my ENTIRE route to not wanting to do DO. Contrary to what you have said, I DID read about the profession, I even called my friend to ask him about it since he has several DOs in his family. I also emailed a couple friends in DO school and asked them about it. In the end I just didn't feel any desire to want to go to DO school. Just like how I don't want to go to law school or dental school. So there is more to it than just having the two letters MD.

 

[J1515]

In the end I just didn't feel any desire to want to go to DO school. Just like how I don't want to go to law school or dental school.

So you don't feel any desire to become a doctor, or a lawyer, or a dentist? I don't get it? Why are you still becoming a doctor them? Stop beating around the bush. Say what you mean.

 

[willen101383]

Sigh...I didn't want to post on this thread because of stuff like this. Okay sorry if I didn't explain my ENTIRE route to not wanting to do DO. Contrary to what you have said, I DID read about the profession, I even called my friend to ask him about it since he has several DOs in his family. I also emailed a couple friends in DO school and asked them about it. In the end I just didn't feel any desire to want to go to DO school. Just like how I don't want to go to law school or dental school. So there is more to it than just having the two letters MD.

How is there more to it? You lie. We arent talking harvard vs DO school here. We are talking about SGU vs DO. The education is likely better at the DO school. Therefore the only difference aside from moving to a foreign country is the letters after your name...and a worse education more than likely.

 

[ahowardmd]

And redsquareblack, OMM? Get off your high horse. You're ignorant. How much OMM have you observed? Do your research buddy, there's plenty of MD schools offering OMM as an elective and it's a proven technique that both MD's and DO's respect... but not ignorant know-it-all premeds for some reason have NO clue what it is.

I have observed OMM while shadowing an osteopathic pain management physician, and it's a little hard to swallow. I shadowed this physician for a few weeks; she would let me feel the patients' ankles to feel the "energy waves" as she did her thang. The patients get a lot out of it, and from what I've seen and heard it does them a lot of good, but it doesn't seem very scientific. And if I wanted a chiropractor, I would hire a chiropractor, not a doctor.

 

[J1515]

I have observed OMM while shadowing an osteopathic pain management physician, and it's a little hard to swallow. I shadowed this physician for a few weeks; she would let me feel the patients' ankles to feel the "energy waves" as she did her thang. The patients get a lot out of it, and from what I've seen and heard it does them a lot of good, but it doesn't seem very scientific. And if I wanted a chiropractor, I would hire a chiropractor, not a doctor.

OMM is good for mostly musculoskeletal problems (relieving muscle spasms, adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder, chronic back pain, etc...). 99% of the other techniques are crap with no scientific evidence behind it. That nonsense that your physician told you about feeling the energy waves in a patient's ankles stems from the theory of the primary respiratory mechanism (PRM). Despite what you may be thinking, it has nothing to do with breathing or the lungs. A few DOs believe that while the body is at rest, the bones of your body and skull move in an alternating internal/external rotation pattern in conjunction with the pulsations of CSF around your brain. Some people claim to be able to feel it (coughbscough). It's the theory of cranial osteopathy...which I'd say 95% of DOs know is bull$h*t and scientifically unproven but the remaing 5% embarass the whole profession by embracing it.

We only spent about 3 weeks (3 hrs per week) during the first two years learning this crap. They more or less told us that if we believe in it and want to use it, we can take more optional classes outside of the required teachings. Otherwise just know it for the boards. It wasn't forced down our throats.

 

[womp]

In the end I just didn't feel any desire to want to go to DO school. Just like how I don't want to go to law school or dental school. So there is more to it than just having the two letters MD.

Dude, horrible analogy. It's more like DDS versus DMD instead.

 

[GirlAnachronism]

I was considering Caribbean MD over DO (if I didnt get into a US med school ... which I did) simply because I want to work in international medicine.

You have to remember that if you want to work ANYWHERE outside the US, having a DO is a detriment over an MD. Yes, some countries have practice rights, but after speaking to a DO and speaking to doctors in Britain where I worked for six months, I was told MANY times that the hoops you have to jump through to get any kind of certification are nothing short of ridiculous. A DO may have the right to practice outside the US in some countries, but that doesn't mean those countries won't throw every obstacle at you to ensure those rights aren't easily obtained. It's hard for an MD to work in another country (exams, certs, etc), but it's even more difficult for a DO.

I didn't want that, and I have friends at Caribbean med schools who chose to enroll there for that reason.

And, by the way, the friends I have there are incredibly intelligent and capable people who will be wonderful doctors. They just had family/personal issues that caused their gpa/mcats to be low. So the first person who says 'students in the Caribbean are just lackluster and lazy' will receive a verbal ass-kicking from me.

 

[SoulinNeed]

I was considering Caribbean MD over DO (if I didnt get into a US med school ... which I did) simply because I want to work in international medicine.

You have to remember that if you want to work ANYWHERE outside the US, having a DO is a detriment over an MD. Yes, some countries have practice rights, but after speaking to a DO and speaking to doctors in Britain where I worked for six months, I was told MANY times that the hoops you have to jump through to get any kind of certification are nothing short of ridiculous. A DO may have the right to practice outside the US in some countries, but that doesn't mean those countries won't throw every obstacle at you to ensure those rights aren't easily obtained. It's hard for an MD to work in another country (exams, certs, etc), but it's even more difficult for a DO.

I didn't want that, and I have friends at Caribbean med schools who chose to enroll there for that reason.

And, by the way, the friends I have there are incredibly intelligent and capable people who will be wonderful doctors. They just had family/personal issues that caused their gpa/mcats to be low. So the first person who says 'students in the Caribbean are just lackluster and lazy' will receive a verbal ass-kicking from me.

Some countries? Isn't it like 44 or 47?

EDIT: And were those doctors in Britain DOs from America? Because they may have gotten it mixed up with British DO.

 

[GirlAnachronism]

Some countries? Isn't it like 44 or 47?

EDIT: And were those doctors in Britain DOs from America? Because they may have gotten it mixed up with British DO.

They were British doctors talking about American DO equivalents.
And as I was saying, even in those countries that have practice rights, it's extremely difficult for an American DO to obtain them.

 

[tkim]

I was considering Caribbean MD over DO (if I didnt get into a US med school ... which I did) simply because I want to work in international medicine.

You have to remember that if you want to work ANYWHERE outside the US, having a DO is a detriment over an MD. Yes, some countries have practice rights, but after speaking to a DO and speaking to doctors in Britain where I worked for six months, I was told MANY times that the hoops you have to jump through to get any kind of certification are nothing short of ridiculous. A DO may have the right to practice outside the US in some countries, but that doesn't mean those countries won't throw every obstacle at you to ensure those rights aren't easily obtained. It's hard for an MD to work in another country (exams, certs, etc), but it's even more difficult for a DO.

I didn't want that, and I have friends at Caribbean med schools who chose to enroll there for that reason.

And, by the way, the friends I have there are incredibly intelligent and capable people who will be wonderful doctors. They just had family/personal issues that caused their gpa/mcats to be low. So the first person who says 'students in the Caribbean are just lackluster and lazy' will receive a verbal ass-kicking from me.

Carib MD =/= US MD in terms of licensing for 'international medicine' - whatever that means.

It's pretty funny when premeds spout the "I want to do international medicine". What exactly is international medicine? Doing with Doctors Without Borders, or setting up a practice in a foreign country? Or hopping around the world practicing medicine. So romantic and ultimately ridiculously impractical.

And then the talk about how the MD is more universally recognized. Do you know how many countries recognize the USMD? I don't. Care to enlighten me?

I know how many countries recognize the SGU MD, and how many accept the US DO. Do you?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=7176088&postcount=8

 

[J1515]

Carib MD =/= US MD in terms of licensing for 'international medicine' - whatever that means.

It's pretty funny when premeds spout the "I want to do international medicine". What exactly is international medicine? Doing with Doctors Without Borders, or setting up a practice in a foreign country? Or hopping around the world practicing medicine. So romantic and ultimately ridiculously impractical.

And then the talk about how the MD is more universally recognized. Do you know how many countries recognize the USMD? I don't. Care to enlighten me?

I know how many countries recognize the SGU MD, and how many accept the US DO. Do you?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=7176088&postcount=8

I too wonder what international medicine is 😕 I also wonder how many pre-meds who use the term international medicine ever actually end up practicing in another country. I wish they would just come out and say they care most about the initials instead of throwing out all the pre-med cliches.

How long till we hear the "I don't want to explain to every patient what a DO is"?

 

[Parts Unknown]

So you don't feel any desire to become a doctor, or a lawyer, or a dentist? I don't get it? Why are you still becoming a doctor them? Stop beating around the bush. Say what you mean.

This is rather interesting. Some of the DO students and physicians in this forum get rather defensive when their path is compared to domestic allopathic training. And yet when someone chimes in that he/she chose a route which some DOs consider inferior, a few of those same DOs act like sharks sensing blood in the water. Do we really all need someone to look down on?

Not everyone wants to be a DO, and it does not denigrate osteopathic medicine for some people to decide it isn't for them and go a different route.

 

[SoulinNeed]

This is rather interesting. Some of the DO students and physicians in this forum get rather defensive when their path is compared to domestic allopathic training. And yet when someone chimes in that he/she chose a route which some DOs consider inferior, a few of those same DOs act like sharks sensing blood in the water. Do we really all need someone to look down on?

Not everyone wants to be a DO, and it does not denigrate osteopathic medicine for some people to decide it isn't for them and go a different route.

I think people took offense with DO being treated like it's a separate field. DOs and MDs practice medicine in the same way, work in the same places, do the same things, get paid the same. MDs and DOs are both medical doctors, dentists and lawyers aren't.

 

[J1515]

This is rather interesting. Some of the DO students and physicians in this forum get rather defensive when their path is compared to domestic allopathic training. And yet when someone chimes in that he/she chose a route which some DOs consider inferior, a few of those same DOs act like sharks sensing blood in the water. Do we really all need someone to look down on?
.

I don't consider either path inferior. I do call bs though on some of the excuses that pre-meds use, such as:

I want to practice international medicine
I don't want to explain to every patient what a DO is
I want to become a dermatologist
I want to get a good residency
I don't want to deal with the stigma
My friend/father/brother/mentor told me....

I'd actually have a lot more respect for a person who simply states they care more about the letters instead of spreading the myths above. While I might question their motives for medicine in my own mind, I wouldn't chastize them as when they post classic pre-med myths that's aren't true in order to justify their decision.

 

[ahowardmd]

OMM is good for mostly musculoskeletal problems (relieving muscle spasms, adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder, chronic back pain, etc...). 99% of the other techniques are crap with no scientific evidence behind it. That nonsense that your physician told you about feeling the energy waves in a patient's ankles stems from the theory of the primary respiratory mechanism (PRM). Despite what you may be thinking, it has nothing to do with breathing or the lungs. A few DOs believe that while the body is at rest, the bones of your body and skull move in an alternating internal/external rotation pattern in conjunction with the pulsations of CSF around your brain. Some people claim to be able to feel it (coughbscough). It's the theory of cranial osteopathy...which I'd say 95% of DOs know is bull$h*t and scientifically unproven but the remaing 5% embarass the whole profession by embracing it.

We only spent about 3 weeks (3 hrs per week) during the first two years learning this crap. They more or less told us that if we believe in it and want to use it, we can take more optional classes outside of the required teachings. Otherwise just know it for the boards. It wasn't forced down our throats.

Good to know...this was back a few years ago, but I figured that if this garbage is what they teach in DO schools, then I don't want to be a DO! Of course later on I shadowed an ER doc who just happened to be a DO (he was awesome, wrote a letter of rec for me), and I realized, maybe all DO's aren't crazy.

On the other hand, I'm kinda sick of reading about how DOs have a "different philosophy" that allows them to treat patients differently, with more compassion or whatever; to then read a couple of posts later that DOs and MDs are exactly the same and anyone who doesn't think so is a frickin idiot.

I'm sorry, but you can't have it both ways. You're either the same or you're not. Spouting stuff about "different philosophies" and "different ways of looking at patients" and a "more holistic admission practice" implies that you're not, in fact, the same as MD schools, in which case you'll have to accept that some people think your way is stupid and/or not valid. But of course as soon as someone says something like "the philosophy isn't for me" then 10 DO students come in and talk about how the philosophy is the same and we're all trained the same so we're ignorant *****s. I'm sorry, but you have to choose, you're either equal or you're not.

Amen. I have shadowed quite a few docs for Emergency Medicine, and half of them were DO's. All of them were great docs, but I feel this flies in the face of what DO schools profess as their mission: to graduate primary care doctors and rural medicine doctors. If DO students were actually embracing all these philosophies they talk about, and were going into primary care and rural med, then I think that's great. However, if you're just using the school with lower stats to get into the medical field, and then you go off and do whatever specialty you want, I don't want to hear about your special philosophy.

 

[ahowardmd]

I don't consider either path inferior. I do call bs though on some of the excuses that pre-meds use, such as:

I want to practice international medicine
I don't want to explain to every patient what a DO is
I want to become a dermatologist
I want to get a good residency
I don't want to deal with the stigma
My friend/father/brother/mentor told me....

I'd actually have a lot more respect for a person who simply states they care more about the letters instead of spreading the myths above. While I might question their motives for medicine in my own mind, I wouldn't chastize them as when they post classic pre-med myths that's aren't true in order to justify their decision.

Interesting...I was planning on using "I don't want to explain to every patient what a DO is" and/or "I don't want to deal with the stigma" if I was forced to go to the Caribbean to get my MD.

So you're looking for cold, hard honesty? I have wanted to have an MD after my name ever since I decided to be a doctor in High School, and I didn't even know what a DO was until sophomore year of college. I would have one hell of an inferiority complex if I wasn't able to get into an MD school and I went to a DO school; I say this because my dream was to be an MD, not a DO. I know a few premeds who have bought into the "different philosophy" thing, and are quite excited about applying to DO school and aren't even considering applying to MD school: good for them. That's their dream, not mine.

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

Interesting...I was planning on using "I don't want to explain to every patient what a DO is" and/or "I don't want to deal with the stigma" if I was forced to go to the Caribbean to get my MD.

So you're looking for cold, hard honesty? I have wanted to have an MD after my name ever since I decided to be a doctor in High School, and I didn't even know what a DO was until sophomore year of college. I would have one hell of an inferiority complex if I wasn't able to get into an MD school and I went to a DO school; I say this because my dream was to be an MD, not a DO. I know a few premeds who have bought into the "different philosophy" thing, and are quite excited about applying to DO school and aren't even considering applying to MD school: good for them. That's their dream, not mine.

That's a refreshing bit of honesty. There is nothing wrong with that attitude, as long as you recognize the increased challenges you would face using the Carib path instead of the DO one. Also you would have to be willing to accept the possibility of stigma associated with your Caribbean degree.

But ultimately, I suspect that many of those who use weak arguments to support their decisions to go Carib really think these same things. They just won't admit it.

 

[thamsenman]

If you want to be an MD, why not just be an American one? Work harder.

 

[Parts Unknown]

I don't consider either path inferior. I do call bs though on some of the excuses that pre-meds use, such as:

I want to practice international medicine
I don't want to explain to every patient what a DO is
I want to become a dermatologist
I want to get a good residency
I don't want to deal with the stigma
My friend/father/brother/mentor told me....

I'd actually have a lot more respect for a person who simply states they care more about the letters instead of spreading the myths above.

So if you are saying unequivocally that the above are myths:

1. DOs have identical international practice recognition to MDs
2. All patients in the entire nation are perfectly informed of osteopathic medicine
3. DOs have the same dermatology training opportunities that their counterparts do
4. DOs have the same opportunities for residency training as their counterparts
5. No one will ever stigmatize DOs for their educational background
6. Close relations never have legitimate advice in this arena

Would that accurately characterize your position?

 

[J1515]

So if you are saying unequivocally that the above are myths:

1. DOs have identical international practice recognition to MDs
2. All patients in the entire nation are perfectly informed of osteopathic medicine
3. DOs have the same dermatology training opportunities that their counterparts do
4. DOs have the same opportunities for residency training as their counterparts
5. No one will ever stigmatize DOs for their educational background
6. Close relations never have legitimate advice in this arena

Would that accurately characterize your position?

🙄 Yeah, while you're at it, all patients always look at every doctor the same exact way regardless of race/ethnicity/skin color.

Your attempt to pour fuel on the fire by putting words in my mouth as you draw extreme and irrelevant conclusions has been unsuccessful.

 

[womp]

I would have one hell of an inferiority complex if I wasn't able to get into an MD school and I went to a DO school; I say this because my dream was to be an MD, not a DO.

You'll have an inferiority complex at a Caribbean MD as well.

 

[bannie22]

Do is useless

 

[JaggerPlate]

Do is useless

huh?

 

[J1515]

huh?

Ignore him.

 

[dudechiefboss]

huh?

+1

 

[TehDoc]

Typical pre-allo DO thread. Pathetic.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Ignore him.

I was just legitimately confused on what he/she was even trying to convey ??

 

[Morsetlis]

I'm seriously considering DO for the 2010 apps.

The only serious issue I'd have with DO is explaining it: to my parents, distant relatives, and patients. Please, teach me how to say "osteopathy" in Vietnamese in a way that doesn't conjure up chiropractors. I guess I could introduce myself as a "bone doctor"......

On the other hand, to have come so far and to keep postponing medical education is silly. I'd rather be a DO in a specialty I want rather than a Caribbean MD in a specialty I don't want. Rather than being between borderline and average for MD, I am high-competitive for DO. I also have a high tolerance and filtering mechanism for bull**** already, so I don't mind OMM or MD's going "lol DO" at all.

 

[Bacchus]

I'm seriously considering DO for the 2010 apps.

The only serious issue I'd have with DO is explaining it: to my parents, distant relatives, and patients. Please, teach me how to say "osteopathy" in Vietnamese in a way that doesn't conjure up chiropractors. I guess I could introduce myself as a "bone doctor"......

On the other hand, to have come so far and to keep postponing medical education is silly. I'd rather be a DO in a specialty I want rather than a Caribbean MD in a specialty I don't want. Rather than being between borderline and average for MD, I am high-competitive for DO. I also have a high tolerance and filtering mechanism for bull**** already, so I don't mind OMM or MD's going "lol DO" at all.

The easiest way to explain this (and sometimes difficult depending on your region) is find a doctor that your family uses that's a DO (and they like).

 

[Parts Unknown]

Your attempt to pour fuel on the fire by putting words in my mouth as you draw extreme and irrelevant conclusions has been unsuccessful.

I'm sorry, but you described six myths, as you called them, pertaining to DO training and opportunities. I was hoping you could expound upon them and better demonstrate why they are untrue.

 

[ahowardmd]

You'll have an inferiority complex at a Caribbean MD as well.

Oh, I'm sure I would have...but I wouldn't have even admitted to those things if I hadn't already gotten into a US MD. I personally don't care if somebody is a DO or a Caribbean MD, but I know that I would have felt different...which is a bummer, because part of me really wanted to go to SGU. They have a program where you spend 1 year studying in England, another year studying on their beautiful island paradise, and then your clerkships are done in the states. If it wasn't for the huge price tag and the stigma, I totally would have gone there, and I don't look down on anybody who does take that route.

 

[J1515]

another year studying on their beautiful island paradise,

lol you really need to talk to a few SGU graduates. You will be in for a shock

and then your clerkships are done in the states.

I rotated with a few SGUers at their affiliated hospitals for 2 clerkships (hospitals where they're forced to do 3rd year). Trust me when I tell you, I think I would've learned more if I sat home and studied a book. I can't say all of their hospitals are like that, and of course there are some DO schools that will try to send you to a 50 bed hospital in some no-name town, so you must try to avoid that as well if you are a DO student. You are taking pieces of information and then making a conclusion based on your own interpretation of this info. The problem is it's an uneducated interpretation based on what people commonly tell you. They're in the carribean, it must be paradise. They do clinicals in the states, that can't possibly be bad. Both are dangerous assumptions to be make, which is why everyone needs to visit any campus and talk to people who have gone through clinicals.

 

[womp]

I'm seriously considering DO for the 2010 apps.

The only serious issue I'd have with DO is explaining it: to my parents, distant relatives, and patients. Please, teach me how to say "osteopathy" in Vietnamese in a way that doesn't conjure up chiropractors. I guess I could introduce myself as a "bone doctor"......

You're not a bone doctor unless you specialize in something bone related. In Vietnamese, "bone doctor" refers to rheumatologists or orthopedic surgeons.

 

[JonathanMD]

The FACT is that last year's match rate for ACGME residencies was 47.8% for FMG vs a 70% match rate for DOs.

Just one point.

People love to quote that statistic but the variability from school to school is so great, it's really not fair to glob all of the schools together (even though the statistic itself my be accurate). There are a few good schools and a lot of really (really) poor schools.

Now the thread is about "Caribbean MD" so it's fair to bring it up, but it's as if you're talking about outliers while citing the entire scatter plot.

There are plenty of negatives for Caribbean MD. I just think you have to single out schools before talking about stats.

 

[thamsenman]

I'm an allopathic applicant, but I really think that there is almost no difference anymore.

in Phoenix where I'm from, there are tons of general sugeons, urologists, dermatologists, radiologists, etc. who are DOs. Primary care, Peds, Psych? Many many DOs.

You can be a DO and do great. I don't understand what the stigma is.

 

[JaggerPlate]

People love to quote that statistic but the variability from school to school is so great, it's really not fair to glob all of the schools together (even though the statistic itself my be accurate). There are a few good schools a lot of really (really) poor schools.

Like people do with DO school matriculation stats?????

 

[JonathanMD]

Like people do with DO school matriculation stats?????

When people talk about Caribbean schools, they're really referring to 3 or 4 schools out of 30+. These schools are each independent of one another and submit charters to different governing bodies. There's nothing that unifies them.

When people talk about DO schools they're referring to all of them. These schools all meet the same standard set of requirements in order to operate.

The results from all FMGs don't correlate to statistics for 3 or 4 Caribbean schools.

 

[Bacchus]

When people talk about Caribbean schools, they're really referring to 3 or 4 schools out of 30+. These schools are each independent of one another and submit charters to different governing bodies. There's nothing that unifies them.

When people talk about DO schools they're referring to all of them. These schools all meet the same standard set of requirements in order to operate.

The results from all FMGs don't correlate to statistics for 3 or 4 Caribbean schools.

And much like the Caribbean schools, the DO schools cannot be compared on a case-by-case basis. There is great variation in osteopathic education, especially clinical years, that prohibits grouping. But, I'm sure you already know this. I'm sure you'll also agree that COCA needs to come up with better accreditation procedures.

 

[thesituationPhD]

Ego is the primary reason for most pre-meds to choose Carib over DO. If they tell you otherwise they are lying.

If the only difference between the two degrees are OMM, there really is no difference. Still learning medicine, just a little extra. Which like others said is something you can chose to use or not.

If House was D.O instead of M.D it'd be fine.

And correct the only people you have to explain why D.O vs M.D is to other ignorant Pre-Meds on SDN.

 

[JonathanMD]

And much like the Caribbean schools, the DO schools cannot be compared on a case-by-case basis. There is great variation in osteopathic education, especially clinical years, that prohibits grouping.

Variability within the discussion is much different than inclusion of outside data.

"Caribbean vs. DO" = SGU, Ross, AUC (and somtimes Saba) vs. US DO

Unless otherwise stated, whenever someone says "Caribbean schools," this is understood.

If someone wanted to narrow down the parameters of which DO schools they were talking about, I'd be all for that too.


Edit: My only point I'm trying to make is that whenever there's a Caribbean vs. DO debate, one set of people begins the discussion and other people offer their own opinions, sometimes citing data that really isn't relevant to the schools that are actually being discussed.

 

[Bacchus]

Variability within the discussion is much different than inclusion of outside data.

"Caribbean vs. DO" = SGU, Ross, AUC (and somtimes Saba) vs. US DO

Unless otherwise stated, whenever someone says "Caribbean schools," this is understood.

If someone wanted to narrow down the parameters of which DO schools they were talking about, I'd be all for that too.


Edit: My only point I'm trying to make is that whenever there's a Caribbean vs. DO debate, one set of people begins the discussion and other people offer their own opinions, sometimes citing data that really isn't relevant to the schools that are actually being discussed.

Gotcha, and agree it should be stated. Basically, in this DO world there is old school and new school, literally.

 

[JonathanMD]

One more thing.

Like I said before, there are plenty of negatives to choose from when it comes to Caribbean schools. Telling people that only 43% of FMG match in a "Caribbean vs DO" debate is just piling on.

DO > Caribbean MD no matter what anyone says.

(And I go to Ross and am on Dominica right now.)

 

[SoulinNeed]

If someone goes to the Caribbean, instead of getting a DO, they believe that having the initials MD after their name is worth it on a personal level to them. Practically speaking, however, such as jobs, residencies, being a US grad, and international recognition, being a DO is universally better. Especially, if you go to a great DO school like CCOM or PCOM.

 

[J1515]

The results from all FMGs don't correlate to statistics for 3 or 4 Caribbean schools.

You must also keep in mind there are certain Caribbean schools that don't let 100% of their students just take the USMLE whenever they want. They must first pass an in-house exam given by the school. This is a good way to ensure the majority of your students will pass the real thing. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it, but when SGU quotes "93% of our students pass the USMLE on their first try," that's because they only allow those students who will do well to take it.

 

[thamsenman]

One more thing.

Like I said before, there are plenty of negatives to choose from when it comes to Caribbean schools. Telling people that only 43% of FMG match in a "Caribbean vs DO" debate is just piling on.

DO > Caribbean MD no matter what anyone says.

(And I go to Ross and am on Dominica right now.)

Your stats were not conducive to DO schools? You sound like a guy who knows a lot about this.