Any DO Spouses?

[cylverdust]

My hubby is a D.O. Student in Cali. He is quite interested in the OMM part, and I must say I LOVE it!!

[GrayMatterWife]

We don't know any NSGs who are DOs. It is a super-competitve residency and a lot of qualified MDs don't get in, so there are very few DOs (not looking to debate whether DOs are/are not equally qualified--it's just a matter of fact that not many DOs match into NSG, especially academic residencies). In a field that is hard to break into if you're not AOA or from a traditional upper-tier MD school, it's practically impossible if you have any other "issue," like being a DO, an FMG, or if you ever failed a med school class (not that these things are equivalent; just listing what would be perceived as an "issue"). There are some NSGs who are DOs, but not many.

That being said, that's THEIR issue, not mine personally. I've gone to several DOs that I've really liked--especially pediatricians. I guess I view most DOs with a bit of prejudice--I presume that they are smart enough to pass the boards but just didn't have the undergrad grades to get into MD school. (Yeah, I know that's not necessarily always the case.) But I am all about making the most of what you have and what opportunities you can make for yourself. If you couldn't get into med school but could get into DO school, and you studied hard and passed the same boards that MDs do--hey, more power to you. I respect that way more than I admire hanging a half-heartedly earned MD from University of Prestigousness.

[diggitydot]

There are some NSGs who are DOs, but not many.

Couple reasons for that --

1.) Proportionally fewer DO's in the US versus MD's. In 2004 (the last year I can find stats) There were over 850,000 practicing MD's in the US...and only 61,000 practicing DO's. Hence, fewer will be in any residencies, including competitive ones. However, don't assume that DO's have a more difficult time than typical getting into tough specialties. DH's graduating med school class had some impressive match numbers. Only 3-4 students had to scramble for a residency spot and over 80% got their top choice, many of which were in pretty impressive and tough specialties. (DH was his class president so he actually has the numbers on these things.) We even have a list somewhere of which program each student matched into that DH used to make a PowerPoint for graduation.


2.) Many osteopathic programs strongly encourage rural or family practice. And by strongly, I mean rabidly. Subtle like a train wreck. Which is part of the reason why so many are family and rural care docs instead of specialists.


As someone familiar with just as many DO's as MD's, there are physicians of varying skills and knowledge in both groups. I've known crappy and wonderful docs of both breeds and quite frankly, once out in the real world the vast majority of the DO vs. MD crap melts away into the silliness that it truly is.

A good doc is a good doc. Period.

Personally, my DH was accepted to both osteo and allo schools. The school he selected had an excellent academic track record, great facilities, fantastic board score pass ratings, a great match history and an atmosphere that felt like "home" to him. It was one of his last interviews and when he realized that he kept comparing all the others to this one (and they came up short), that his decision was made. That it happened to be a DO school wasn't even part of the decision making process.

He has yet to regret his choice.

My husband was accepted to several MD schools and the one Osteopathic. In the end it came down to staying in the vicinity of his 2 dying parents. Not for one moment does he regret his decision.

[rainbabies]

My gyn/friend is a DO. I love her. She is *very* busy and has a huge following. Her dh is an MD.
Here in WV, there is a DO school...interestingly, this state also requires an extra year of residency for the DO's. I'm not sure how common that is??

[MrsK]

My gyn/friend is a DO. I love her. She is *very* busy and has a huge following. Her dh is an MD.
Here in WV, there is a DO school...interestingly, this state also requires an extra year of residency for the DO's. I'm not sure how common that is??

Some states require DO's that are doing an MD residency to also complete a DO intern year. FL has been waivering on this issue for years and we have no way of knowing what the licensing requirement will be when DrK finishes his residency. Psych is typically an MD residency as there are only about 9 DO-Psych residencies in the US and they are all in undesirable locations. So, he'd done the intern year this year and will have to start his MD residency as a PGY-1.

2.) Many osteopathic programs strongly encourage rural or family practice. And by strongly, I mean rabidly. Subtle like a train wreck. Which is part of the reason why so many are family and rural care docs instead of specialists.

This is so true. My brother is a DO and he has his own family practice in a rural community. DrK went to the same DO school as my brother and says that my brother's practice represents "the ultimate career track" emphasized at their school. Unfortunately, however, rural family doctors don't make any money.

[Pollyanna]

Dh and I have a friend from grad school who is a DO specializing in pediatric neurosurgery. While in the beginning he would have preferred the MD route, he is doing exactly what he wants to do so MD vs DO didn't make any difference for him.

[GrayMatterWife]

Dh and I have a friend from grad school who is a DO specializing in pediatric neurosurgery. While in the beginning he would have preferred the MD route, he is doing exactly what he wants to do so MD vs DO didn't make any difference for him.

That's interesting because there is a fairly well-known and highly regarded pediatric NSG who is a DO. I wonder if your friend is the guy I'm thinking of! NSG is a smallllllllll world!