Why DO?

[Azaesal]

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Hello, ladies and germs! I hope you are well. I'm preparing for some of my interviews right now, and I wanted to ask for some advice for this question that will certainly come up: Why do you want to be a DO?

For context, I applied for both MD and DO programs. In truth, I am inspired by both groups of physicians. Through my clinical experiences, I have seen how DOs practice gather clinical data (i.e., labs and imaging) to practice evidence-based medicine, and I have seen them perform the same exact procedures as their allopathic colleagues. It's easy to say that DO's practice holistic medicine, but a lot of MDs do too, so I wasn't sure if that was a good answer either. What I thought was really cool was their use of OMT and its application to clinical practice. I have seen it a handful of times and it was pretty neat. Would saying that being able to use OMT as an added tool be a good answer? A few DOs I work with in the ER say that most DO's don't even use it.

In truth, I just want to be a physician. Whether it's as an MD or DO, it doesn't matter. What are your thoughts, and what are some things I should keep in mind when answering this question?

 

[bronbron2251]

If you've had experience working with DO's I'd just talk about that experience, how these physicians inspired you, what you learned, and ultimately how they influenced you into pursuing osteopathic medicine.

I think most importantly the answer to this question should be relevant and unique to you and your experiences rather than what SDN tells you is the appropriate answer, since other people's reasons for wanting to be a physician may not be relevant to you and your unique background. Good luck my friend!

 

[Goro]

. It's easy to say that DO's practice holistic medicine, but a lot of MDs do too, so I wasn't sure if that was a good answer either.

For God's sake, please don't use the term holistic in an interview answer. We only hear it about a gazzillion times during the cycle.

What I thought was really cool was their use of OMT and its application to clinical practice. I have seen it a handful of times and it was pretty neat. Would saying that being able to use OMT as an added tool be a good answer?

That's fine

A few DOs I work with in the ER say that most DO's don't even use it.

Some 90%+ of DOs don't use it. There are other aspects of the DO training that contrasts them from many MDs. You will need to do your homework on this. Hint: do NOT use Wiki.

 

[notEinstein]

For God's sake, please don't use the term holistic in an interview answer. We only hear it about a gazzillion times during the cycle.

That's fine

Some 90%+ of DOs don't use it. There are other aspects of the DO training that contrasts them from many MDs. You will need to do your homework on this. Hint: do NOT use Wiki.

You mean you don’t want to hand feed us an impressive answer to use? 😀

 

[Goro]

You mean you don’t want to hand feed us an impressive answer to use? 😀

That's your job!