Will DO be good for primary care?

[SoulinNeed]

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I want to do primary care (mainly internal medicine). I also want to do DO. Unfortunately, I've been reading on here lately that the new influx of DO schools is making getting a residency spot more difficult. How true is this for primary care, which I thought was in serious demand? I won't be entering medical school for 3 more years at the rate things are going because I just recently switched career paths. Will the influx of new DO schools really make things that much worse in the next 10 years?

 

[JaggerPlate]

You'll be just fine.

 

[slim78]

Where else are they going to go?

Like Jagger said. You'll be fine.

 

[p30doc]

lol, also anyone who wants to do primary care can do so without a problem

 

[demayette]

lol, also anyone who wants to do primary care can do so without a problem

I am also 100% primary care DO...It's good to know I wont have any problem.

 

[Melicopter]

The government pays for residency programs. Thus, they determine to a large extent how many there are in which specialties. They want primary care docs, so they fund a lot of those positions. I'm sure the system will continue to cover them for a long time to come.

 

[FutureCTDoc]

If you're going primary care, some schools offer loan repayment and other perks. Some schools are better in regard.
DMU has a great program where you can go debt free if you are a top student:
http://www.dmu.edu/com/do/strengths/rmep/
If you look more schools have programs like this. This program only takes 6 students.

 

[DOalchemist]

There is a desparate need for more primary care docs, so again, don't worry about it...pursue primary care.
Definately stick to DO, I've had MD's tell me that for people interested in primary care, DO is a better education than alot of MD programs because DO schools typical focus on primary care.

(These are MD's that supervise DO rotations in family practice and general surgery).

 

[SoulinNeed]

Is this true even for DOs going into ACGME IM residencies? I ask because I may be interested in a fellowship post residency.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Is this true even for DOs going into ACGME IM residencies? I ask because I may be interested in a fellowship post residency.

Yup.

 

[SoulinNeed]

Yup.

Good to know, because I'm hoping to do my residency (and possible fellowship) in Chicago, and then work in rural Illinois.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Good to know, because I'm hoping to do my residency (and possible fellowship) in Chicago, and then work in rural Illinois.

Sounds good .... however

Remember that most people change their mind concerning what field they want to enter while in medical school. You could go in saying you wanted to practice rural IM in Illinois, and come out of rotations wanting to be a plastic surgeon in Chicago. Just go in with an open mind, and see what really fits.

 

[SoulinNeed]

Sounds good .... however

Remember that most people change their mind concerning what field they want to enter while in medical school. You could go in saying you wanted to practice rural IM in Illinois, and come out of rotations wanting to be a plastic surgeon in Chicago. Just go in with an open mind, and see what really fits.

Oh, without question, I will certainly do so. Although, I don't think I would be a good surgeon (my hands have trouble staying steady).

Now, I just have to find a DO school that won't put me deep in debt. Won't be CCOM, but how about LECOM-B? Hmmmmmmmm

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Oh, without question, I will certainly do so. Although, I don't think I would be a good surgeon (my hands have trouble staying steady).

Now, I just have to find a DO school that won't put me deep in debt. Won't be CCOM, but how about LECOM-B? Hmmmmmmmm

Check out LECOM-E's Primary Care Scholars Pathway if you're interested in Primary Care and reducing debt.

Three Years to a Primary Care or Family Physician Degree
LECOM Erie Primary Care Scholars Pathway (PCSP) condenses four years of medical education into three years in order to graduate Primary Care doctors sooner. The PCSP eliminates some of the barriers that discourage medical students from pursuing careers in family medicine and the other primary care specialties.

Based on LECOM’s experience developing its unique Problem-Based Learning and Independent Study Pathways, the committee chose to use the Independent Study learning modules as a guide for this new curriculum. PCSP students will follow a year-round curriculum so that they complete the basic science and clinical courses by March of the second year. PCSP students immediately will begin core clinical rotations at carefully selected hospitals and physician offices.

LECOM Primary Care Scholars Pathway has received approval from the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation and backing of the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.

 

[SoulinNeed]

Check out LECOM-E's Primary Care Scholars Pathway if you're interested in Primary Care and reducing debt.

Three Years to a Primary Care or Family Physician Degree
LECOM Erie Primary Care Scholars Pathway (PCSP) condenses four years of medical education into three years in order to graduate Primary Care doctors sooner. The PCSP eliminates some of the barriers that discourage medical students from pursuing careers in family medicine and the other primary care specialties.

Based on LECOM’s experience developing its unique Problem-Based Learning and Independent Study Pathways, the committee chose to use the Independent Study learning modules as a guide for this new curriculum. PCSP students will follow a year-round curriculum so that they complete the basic science and clinical courses by March of the second year. PCSP students immediately will begin core clinical rotations at carefully selected hospitals and physician offices.

LECOM Primary Care Scholars Pathway has received approval from the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation and backing of the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.

Can I still do an ACGME IM residency? Or will it have to be an AOA residency at one of their teaching hospitals where they have you do clinical rotations? Do I have stay in Erie after I graduate?

 

[FutureCTDoc]

Check out LECOM-E's Primary Care Scholars Pathway if you're interested in Primary Care and reducing debt.

Three Years to a Primary Care or Family Physician Degree
LECOM Erie Primary Care Scholars Pathway (PCSP) condenses four years of medical education into three years in order to graduate Primary Care doctors sooner. The PCSP eliminates some of the barriers that discourage medical students from pursuing careers in family medicine and the other primary care specialties.

Based on LECOM’s experience developing its unique Problem-Based Learning and Independent Study Pathways, the committee chose to use the Independent Study learning modules as a guide for this new curriculum. PCSP students will follow a year-round curriculum so that they complete the basic science and clinical courses by March of the second year. PCSP students immediately will begin core clinical rotations at carefully selected hospitals and physician offices.

LECOM Primary Care Scholars Pathway has received approval from the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation and backing of the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.

I'd be leery of going down that path. Everyone wants to be fill in the blank when entering medical school. Many, however windup in completely unrelated fields. Who is to say you won't fall head over heels for general surgery? This program would likely put you at a competitive disadvantage for positions like that as well as other traditionally competitive specialties. Also, I don't know how fellowships would feel about this pathway.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Can I still do an ACGME IM residency? Or will it have to be an AOA residency at one of their teaching hospitals where they have you do clinical rotations? Do I have stay in Erie after I graduate?

1. Yes, I think ACGME is just fine
2. No, Erie is not a stipulation

This info is from 2008:

PCS students must know that they want to be primary care physicians (Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Gerontology, or OB-GYN).

...sign an agreement that they will complete the program and practice for at least five years in primary care. If not they must pay LECOM the fourth year of tuition (money saved via the program)

16 clinical rotations instead of the usual 24

some of the rotations which are not primary care in nature are eliminated to be able to complete in three years.

If a student later wants to get out of primary care and into another specialty, their education is not lacking, but their experience in that specialty is, which they would make up by going through their internship and/or residency anyway.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I'd be leery of going down that path. Everyone wants to be fill in the blank when entering medical school. Many, however windup in completely unrelated fields. Who is to say you won't fall head over heels for general surgery? This program would likely put you at a competitive disadvantage for positions like that as well as other traditionally competitive specialties. Also, I don't know how fellowships would feel about this pathway.

I'd never personally do it, but it's a cheaper, streamlined option for those who want it, and a lot of people don't know about these kinds of options.

My GP always said he wished he had done IM or Peds instead of FM, since he never got exposure to Endo until he was in residency, and it was too late, so he wouldn't qualify for an Endo fellowship unless he restarted residency. So, yeah, even once it's time to make that specialty decision, you might *still* not be ready to make it! Let alone as an undergrad...