Why osteopathy?

[joshua_msu]

I am a pre med junior and was cuirous about osteopathy. I was wondering how everyone learned about it and why they chose to apply to an osteopathic school. Essentially, why do you want to be a D.O as opposed to and M.D. What makes it unique?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[s42brown]

I work in a level one trauma center in st. louis missouri. I work as an ER tech along side both MD?s and D.O's, both are great docs and they have a clearly defined mutual respect. Most people can't even tell them apart, so the question is why did I choice osteopathic medicine. Well first of all I am an applicant that chose osteopathic medicine because I wanted to be an osteopathic doctor. My stats are science GPA of 3.76 and a MCAT of 9,9,10, so I would be very competitive at any allopathic school in the area. I believe in the way that D.O's approach their patients and the idea of evaluating a patient?s life style as well as their signs and symptoms in differentiating a diagnosis. In addition I have had a great deal of training in adjusting and manipulation and have seen first hand how it can change people?s lives. As a D.O. you are the whole package.

 

[Bevo]

well, at first I felt forced into it because of my academic past, but over the past few months I have learned a lot more about osteopathy and grown to really respect it. If I was a competitive student Id still choose osteopathy over allopathic schools now. That is how interested I am in it now.

To me I just relate its struggle for acceptance with my own personal struggles. I liked the origin of it because it broke away from the norm which was harming people and went to a safer form of medicine.

Im reading this book by Norman Gervitz, I think thats his name. Anyways, its a real interesting book on the history and evolution of osteopathy. I find it interesting because I like history, well the Discovery channel programs at least. I guess each person has they're own reason for loving the philosophy.

Another book to read is Careers in Osteopathic Medicine by Terrance Sacks. Its more of an introductory book to osteopathy with first hand accounts by medical students, and physicians. Its mostly to calm any fears one might have about osteopathy from the pre-med side.

Hope this helps some.

 

[kappapiomega]

I chose Osteopathy because of the field I want to go into. I am all about being a primary care rural doctor and know that I will have more hands on experience with people if I go to an osteopathic school. This does not mean that I would not want to be an MD. I just think that being a DO is a better fit for ME. The best doctor I have ever worked with is an MD, so I have nothing but respect for MD's. I am very happy I chose to apply to osteopathic schools, and know that I made the best choice for my future practice goals.

 

[Dr JPH]

Why be an MD when you can be a DO?

Same length of training. Same professional title. Same education. Same curriculum. Same job opportunities. Same salary.

PLUS you learn OMM.

Sounds like a great choice to me.

I sure as hell don't regret it.

 

[WishUponAStar]

Hazelton is an OMM fanatic. So obviously his choice for going D.O. was easy. I'm not an OMM fanatic. I appreciate the OMM training, and I am starting to gain some insight into its potential, but it wasn't my deciding factor to attend a D.O. school.

I am at PCOM because I think it is a great school. Awesome facilities, awesome campus, great people, and it has a solid reputation. I would be at PCOM right now even if it was an MD school. I was sold on the school more than the degree.

I think the reasons are going to be different for everyone. The bottom line is that D.O. or M.D., you're going to get to where you want to be in medicine.

 

[H0mersimps0n]

anyone think its a bad thing that I mailed PCOM my secondary 8/23 and still haven't heard from them? I'm getting really worried... (I know its off-topic but I figured since there seemed to be a bunch of PCOM guys on this thread I'd ask)... <sigh>

 

[bla_3x]

For me, there were a lot of reasons for going DO. I think it all comes down to what would make me happy as a meidical student and physician. I was aware early on that DOs are equal to MDs in EVERY way and this has been confirmed through my experiences in medicine. I just think that the way DO schools go about medicine is the way for me. It's hard to sum it up, but it was just one of those feelings that you get. I just felt that DO was the way for me. My stats too, would get me into plenty of MD schools and will almost surely get me into my state school, but I don't want that...now that I KNOW I am going to my top choice DO school . I know that medical school is oing to be the most challegeing thing that I have taken on, and why would I want to make it harder by going to a medical school that I don't REALLY want to go to.
Bravo for exploring your options with an open mind . I am sure that you will find your niche.

I would really stress that you perhaps try and shadow or at least talk to some DOs in your area, they are a really good source for info!
Good Luck to ya!

 

[too-sweet-phat-cool 4-life]

I am going to a DO school for many different reasons. The first thing I would suggest is to do some research about osteopathic medicine. A good book is The Differece a DO Makes, this book really changed my outlook on medical school and becoming a doctor. Also, for me alot of it came down to atmosphere, location, and cost. I am from OK so my tuition is much less than if I would have gone to a MD school out of state. Also, I really liked it here during my interview. The people were really supportive and it is really helping me now that the stress of med school has really set in.

 

[WishUponAStar]

Homer,

I would give PCOM a call and express your interest in receiving an interview. The more you make an effort showing them you want to go to PCOM, the more they will consider your application.

Don't stress by the way. PCOM could interview you all the way up until mid-April. Not hearing yet in no way means you are out of the running. Trust me. ;-)

 

[Bevo]

I just got my PCOM secondary yesterday. Hope to go there.

 

[H0mersimps0n]

oh believe me, I've called, twice. Both times I was told my application was under review. Unfortunately, the woman who answered the phone would not give me any further information despite my hints of wanting to know more.

I just talked to my friend at NYU and he suggested writing the dean of admissions a nice letter simply stating that my application is in and that I've very interested in PCOM for *put reasons here* and that I can't wait to hear from them...

what do all your PCOM buffs think?

 

[Dr JPH]

Originally posted by H0mersimps0n
anyone think its a bad thing that I mailed PCOM my secondary 8/23 and still haven't heard from them? I'm getting really worried... (I know its off-topic but I figured since there seemed to be a bunch of PCOM guys on this thread I'd ask)... <sigh>

It hasn't even been 3 months. And, you have already called twice.

I would hold off for now. Be patient.

Interviews have only been going on for a month or so.

My stuff was completed in early September and I didn't get an interview until early December.

Don't rush things.

Calling again and writing a letter (at least at this point) would be overkill.

If you don't hear anything by January 1st...then write a letter.

Good luck

 

[H0mersimps0n]

understood, thanks... *practicing patience*

 

[Dr JPH]

Originally posted by H0mersimps0n
*practicing patience*

Important when applying to medical school and when trying to translate a side bend in the thoracic vertebrae.

 

[Kritenoel]

My reasons for wanting to be an osteopath echo the above posts in many respects.

I was in a major car accident in March and seeing my family doctor (a DO) for OMT has been a HUGE part of my recovery. I hope to be a family physician and I can't imagine being a primary care doctor and not using manipulation. I have always liked the more holistic approach to medicine and I think osteopathy is a better fit for me.

Another reason is that I'm a Maine resident - I left the state to do my undergrad work, but I'm ready to be in-state again. UNE, the only med school in Maine, is an osteopathic medical school.

 

[Nic_machiavelli]

If you are a logical thinker, think about the MD-DO difference along the lines of the differences between Deductive and Inductive logic.

Or ask yourself: Why are politicians Democrat or Republican? Each party has its own philosophy but in the end they both produce politicians who can govern.

Okay, so the election is tomorrow...

In short, it's the philosophy as JP Hazelton and S42Brown point out. Without knowing it, you won't understand it.

You can start by visiting:
http://www.aoa.net/

Being a DO isn't about the buzzwords of "holistic" and "whole-person"; it's about viewing the patient as a person - listening to him/her and seeing her as more than just a "broken machine" or collection of symptoms.

Before I "discovered DOs" I was growing very jaded with medicine. I got tired of docs talking at me for 5 minutes then throwing scripts at me. Several people in my family received critical misdiagnoses by a handful of MDs - all of whom failed to listen or view each patient as a whole.

DOs are different, and the choice to treat my family.

 

[Resident Alien]

Originally posted by Nic_machiavelli


Being a DO isn't about the buzzwords of "holistic" and "whole-person"; it's about viewing the patient as a person - listening to him/her and seeing her as more than just a "broken machine" or collection of symptoms.

Before I "discovered DOs" I was growing very jaded with medicine. I got tired of docs talking at me for 5 minutes then throwing scripts at me. Several people in my family received critical misdiagnoses by a handful of MDs - all of whom failed to listen or view each patient as a whole.

DOs are different, and the choice to treat my family.

Im sorry if you think MD's dont look at the patient as a person. I think you're confusing philosophy with actual practice, those doctors did not espouse the humanistic values needed to be a DOCTOR (without this allo vs do bull**** that you brought into this somehow).

 

[Nic_machiavelli]

RA
Sorry but there is a difference between the philosophies - AND practice. Call it bullsh**t if you want, but it exists no matter how many MD wannabees there are in DO schools, or "holistic practitioners" there are in MD schools.

There's a reason why allopathic and osteopathic medicine hasn't merged for the same reason that the Democratic Party and the Republican Party haven't merged: both espouse different philosophies and practice their professions accordingly.

The original poster wants to know "Why osteopathic"; this is the pre-osteopathic board, and it has nothing to do with humanistic values. It's about the differences, and I was just pointing them out.

 

[Resident Alien]

Give me an example of a case where an MD with his philosophical powers will misdiagnose a disease/condition and a DO will catch with his powers.


"listening to him/her and seeing her as more than just a "broken machine" or collection of symptoms"

these are your words. If you live in the same world as I do, you should know this is the focus of modern medical practice. LIke it or not.

 

[AviatorDoc]

There's lots of reasons to go DO. Here's one: the grades just are not quite there to be an MD, but you really want to be a physician.

 

[H0mersimps0n]

if the original poster is satisified with the responses to this point I'm thinking we should move on before this gets really nasty...

I'm not going to get into any arguments or start any bad blood between the MD's and DO's but comments like that last one don't sit well with me... I'll calmly leave it at that... move on

 

[AviatorDoc]

I apologize if you interpreted my comment as being hostile. It wasn't meant to be inflammatory or sarcastic. For many people, choosing to be a DO is simply a matter of wanting to be a physician, and not caring about the title.
A doctor is a doctor, whether DO or MD, right?

 

[PJMCD]

I think something needs to be realized about osteopathic vs allopathic medicine, it lies within the history between the too. Osteopathic medicine was brought about by an MD(Still), who was not happy with the treatment modalities of his times. This was a time when they would bleed people to cure them or give them mercury to help conquer the flu, when in actuality they were making people more sick. The Osteopathic philosophy was different than allopathic at that time. However today it is a different story and MD and DO will basically treat you they same way with the exception of manipulation . If a doctor( MD or DO) didn't treat the entire person, Patients know that Jacoby and Myers are on their side waiting to sue any doctors A**

 

[delayofgame]

.. cause i cant get into MD school...& i wanna work 2x [ manipulation, omm,omt , learnig too much bunk ] as hard , to get half as much ie. recognition, etc... WHY else??

 

[Dr Sum Day]

Originally posted by delayofgame
.. cause i cant get into MD school...& i wanna work 2x [ manipulation, omm,omt , learnig too much bunk ] as hard , to get half as much ie. recognition, etc... WHY else??

Are you trying to open a can of worms?

 

[delayofgame]

.. thats just the reality of the profession still in this day & age. i mean theres no doubt a truck load of MD wannabes in DO schools. Always was , always will be. -- no not tryin to open a can , thats long since been open. Some choose to look the other way & focus on "their' altruistic reasons they chose DO, but in many cases it was/is 2nd fiddle & adcoms have gotta know this. They look u strait in the eye & say , u wanna be a DO & most ppl, laugh under their breath & say, Sure', while tryin not to burst out laughing. Hey, if this is a total crock of crap, then say so. i personally dont care, i have no choice but to go DO with my mcats etc, i dont feel like retaking it, cause i havent seen sci classes in yrs, so i'm in a bind , its now or never. hence, DO or die, for me at least.

 

[Dr Sum Day]

Originally posted by delayofgame
.. thats just the reality of the profession still in this day & age. i mean theres no doubt a truck load of MD wannabes in DO schools. Always was , always will be. -- no not tryin to open a can , thats long since been open. Some choose to look the other way & focus on "their' altruistic reasons they chose DO, but in many cases it was/is 2nd fiddle & adcoms have gotta know this. They look u strait in the eye & say , u wanna be a DO & most ppl, laugh under their breath & say, Sure', while tryin not to burst out laughing. Hey, if this is a total crock of crap, then say so. i personally dont care, i have no choice but to go DO with my mcats etc, i dont feel like retaking it, cause i havent seen sci classes in yrs, so i'm in a bind , its now or never. hence, DO or die, for me at least.

your reasons are understandable, i'm applying to both but have a far better chance with DO myself. Since I know many DO's in my hometown are well respected, I'm not gonna worry. I just want to be a physician. good luck

 

[DrMom]

If you get into a DO school, hopefully you'll have a change of heart and attitude.

In most parts of the country we really aren't the red-headed stepchildren that you portray.

I'm sure that there are people in my class that feel like they settled for DO, but they certainly don't voice that opinion openly. I know of many who truly chose the DO route.

 

[Dr Sum Day]

Originally posted by DrMom
If you get into a DO school, hopefully you'll have a change of heart and attitude.

In most parts of the country we really aren't the red-headed stepchildren that you portray.

I'm sure that there are people in my class that feel like they settled for DO, but they certainly don't voice that opinion openly. I know of many who truly chose the DO route.

You go Dr. Mom

 

[SLE]

Delay. If you feel that way about osteopathy, maybe you should forgo medical school and be a nurse or a PA. I'm not by any means putting down those professions, but if you want to be an MD and can't then shut up already. I could have gone to an MD school, I applied in December to medical school, or I should say my file wasn't complete until then. If I waited a year I would have gone to Penn State Hershey, which is a fantastic school. But I was accepted into a DO school and was like cool I'm going to be a doctor. I had no idea what it was to be a DO, and now I have learned many helpful things from osteopathy. I'm not going to be a manipulative specialist, that is a part but not all of osteopathy. Knowing your sympathetic innervations and looking for ARTS changes, Chapmans, ect get greatly help you in dxing a viceral problem which may have otherwise gone unnoted. As far as DOs being looked down on I think you need to put down your rock hammer and come inside the cave for storytime. Education is not something that is given to you but something you make. Colleges and Universities provide the tools, but if you don't use the tools you are going to be that kid with the birdhouse everyone laughs at.

 

[Nic_machiavelli]

Before I leave this increasingly nasty thread...

If you really want to be a doctor and don't care about the abbreviations, apply to MD school. If you can't get in after 3 tries, move on with your lives.

OMM is not "mumbo jumbo". I'm a trained scientist who approached OMM with much scepticism and discovered that it works. Again Dr. Still was an MD!

If you think there isn't a difference between DOs and MDs then you haven't been around either very much. I've seen the medical profession from several sides - nursing, paramedic, MD, DO and patient (I've got a big family) - and the differences are quite plain once you educate yourself on them.

Finally, if you still think DO is a fall-back, forget it. DO admissions are much more competitive than they were 20 years ago, and the officers can smell "md wannabee" a mile away. For every md wannabee there is a DO wannabee, and it is there job to determine who is who and it is a job that they are extremely good at.

 

[delayofgame]

Its not very hard to setup with the "illusion" or Look of a DO wanna be to adcoms. I shadowed for 3 yrs,-- 6 total DO's including faculty DO's. Now I slant everything toward the ILLUSION that I want to do OMM as a specialty. This is SOLELY, because i had lower gpa & lower mcats, thus it looks like i had interest in manip med. Really, its stackin the deck toward knowing, -- i had no shot MD, so look ur best & most appealing to the very CORE of DO's philosopy. Thus, u give the impression, via all ur background -- of wanting OMM, oh so bad. In reality, u "act" , ... the part like an actor, tryin to land a lead role, in a movie. Thats what DO admissions is all about, smellin out the actors, from the tried & true wannabes. laters...

 

[San_Juan_Sun]

Originally posted by delayofgame
Its not very hard to setup with the "illusion" or Look of a DO wanna be to adcoms. I shadowed for 3 yrs,-- 6 total DO's including faculty DO's. Now I slant everything toward the ILLUSION that I want to do OMM as a specialty. This is SOLELY, because i had lower gpa & lower mcats, thus it looks like i had interest in manip med. Really, its stackin the deck toward knowing, -- i had no shot MD, so look ur best & most appealing to the very CORE of DO's philosopy. Thus, u give the impression, via all ur background -- of wanting OMM, oh so bad. In reality, u "act" , ... the part like an actor, tryin to land a lead role, in a movie. Thats what DO admissions is all about, smellin out the actors, from the tried & true wannabes. laters...

I see what you're saying, and I agree somewhat. That's why it is very important for applicants to understand osteopathy and have been able to internalize and articulate the philosophy. I'm fairly certain that adcoms get tired of hearing only "I want to treat the whole person" all day long.

 

[benogurl]

are there any disadvantages of being a DO? i'd like to practice in CA, but would HMOs prefer to hire MDs rather than DOs? do HMOs ever hire DOs to practice OMT?

 

[kappapiomega]

There are many DO's working at Kaiser hospitals in the Sacramento area. In fact, one of the Neurologists is a DO, as well as the new head Neonatologist at the Roseville, CA facility. The opportunities for good physicians are out there, DO/MD alike!! It really depends on you, not the degree!!!

 

[isidella]

Originally posted by SLE
Delay. If you feel that way about osteopathy, maybe you should forgo medical school and be a nurse or a PA. I'm not by any means putting down those professions, but if you want to be an MD and can't then shut up already.

Rediculous. . . The nursing philosophy is so much different from the doctoring philosophy, I would not suggest using the profession as a "fallback." If you want to be a doctor, stick with MD, DO or PA. If you are capable of doctoring, then you should be capable of getting into one of these programs, somewhere.

Nursing requires a certain type of person who has had a calling to "care" for people, to maintain dignity. I cringe to think the field may be riddled with jaded wannabe-docs who could not hack the MCATs. It just pisses me off. My opinion.

 

[williestyle81]

i have an interview with pcom next week. i have also applied to md schools too. if pcom asks me why i applied to both md and do schools, is it bad to say something to the effect of: " when thinking of what schools to apply to, i only knew about md schools( which is the God honest truth) , md schools were greatly emphasized, but one day i saw a bulletin board up at a kaplan center i started attending and they had info about md and do schools, so i researched the do schools, their curriculum and philosophy which also interest me greatly...." is this bad to say ??????????? the thing is its the TRUTH!!!!! I don't wanna lie! somebody help a sistah out!
thanx

 

[PJMCD]

With writing like that I am wondering how you got out of Grade school.........

 

[Dr Sum Day]

Maybe delay is an ESL student?

 

[SLE]

Isadella,
Reread what I wrote cause you obviously didn't read it right the first time. Nursing is not a fallback by any means. Yes it is a totally different type of care. But aren't we really all here to care for patients? Maybe Delay is in it for the money because that is all he ever talks about. Son you will be seriously disappointed because with malpratice insurance and HMOs you aren't going to be playing golf at 12 or swimming in your gold like Scrooge McDuck whether you go allopathic or osteopathic.

Willie,
Listen to Delay if you don't want to get into medical school, it has done well for him so far. PCOM was the only osteopathic school I applied to and I told them that. They asked why and I said because I really don't know anything about osteopathyand was interested. People appreciate honesty, not bs.

Delay,
So PCOM sent you a letter of acceptance. Let me write a letter of recommendation for you. I'm sure you would fit along great here. Not everyone is a die hard OMM fan, myself included. Osteopathy has held all us back so greatly so far. Have you ever heard of sarcasism?

 

[DrZippy2b]

Delay of Game-

Someone once told me "your attitude determines your altitude". You have crashed and burned.

-Zippy

 

[ErinG]

I just pm'd you...

 

[DrZippy2b]

Thanks for the reminder.

 

[DrZippy2b]

Delay,
It's a process. Not a perfect one, by far. And, of course, it sucks. It is supposed to. A person would never go through this painful of a process if they didn't really want to be a doctor.
It is a tough process for a reason. One day, the people who are accepted to medical school this year will be docs and will be trusted with their patients' lives. That is a huge responsibility. At this point, the ADCOMs are trying to see whether or not you (or any of the rest of us applying) are up to handling that responsibility.
Most ADCOMs are looking to see a couple things about you when they send you a secondary. Can you fulfill a commitment? Are you a leader? Are you trustworthy? Are you mature??? Are you someone they would want as a colleague?
There is more than enough information on the AACOMAS application for schools to decide who they really think might fit their school and who they will likely interview. So why send out secondaries? Some people might say it is a way for the school to make $$. Fair enough. But why else? Think about it. Maybe there are really other reasons for the process being the way that it has evolved to what it is today.

--Zippy

PS: I shouldn't have said that earlier. I don't know you or your attitude well enough to have made such a rude statement. Sorry.