<p>If both are compensated the equally, and both pass the same tests, etc. then why is MD considered more 'prestigious' and more sought after than D.O.? I'm really confused and I'm sure the CC members on here know a lot about this topic so rather than scavenge for info. online I figure that I'd get better, clearer answers on here.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Greater difficulty getting into programs (i.e., needing higher stats, etc.)
Length of history (also one of the reasons “elite” schools are “elite”)
Greater prestige worldwide (i.e., D.O.s in some countries aren’t full medical docs so you go abroad and deal w that)
Greater knowledge in the U.S. as to what “M.D.” means (esp. by lay-people, but sometimes also by certain healthcare workers)</p>
<p>Etc… much of it has more to do w/ the length of time each degree/type of trng has existed.</p>
<p>It is basically barriers of entry; you’re focusing on what people will recognize in the general audience and how the demand and the supply therein will be manipulated by the greater prevalence wherewith the D.O.s shall have obtained the equal credentials and manual compensation (as opposed to the systematic compensation schedules approved by the AMA for the consultations fees and other service rates remanded to the MA-holder, in aggregate of course).</p>
<p>If you can get into a MD school, why not? But, given the choice b/w being a DO and not going to med school at all, I’d rather go the DO route. I’ve had plenty of professors who are DO’s and haven’t noticed any difference in their fund of knowledge, clinical skills, or teaching skills.</p>
<p>Or whatever Drakemom said.</p>
<p>^^That (#3) is one long sentence.</p>
<p>^haha, 'twas my thought exactly on #3. ***(udge)?!</p>
<p>Sounded like she was largely repeating what had already been said prior (as well as a reference to supply and demand) but in a sloppy attempt to sound well-educated. Not buyin’ it. :)</p>
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<p>This is the big reason right here. But I would change “M.D.” to “D.O.”</p>
<p>Obviously the greater difficulty in getting into an MD school (in most cases) and the higher average stats, etc. make no difference (or shouldn’t), as evidenced by…</p>
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<p>and I’ve heard the same thing from lots of MDs and other healthcare providers.</p>
<p>Icarus, I think you read my post wrong – in the U.S., the initials “M.D.” are better known, so it has more prestige. I simply did not put in the second half (left it implied) – greater knowledge of what an “M.D.” is than what a “D.O.” is.</p>
<p>I agree that the higher stats aren’t really a primary reason; however, amongst premedical and, although to a probably lesser degree, medical students and [perhaps even some] residents, perceived lower competitiveness of D.O. programs (often due to lower avg stats for admission) also plays into a totally insignificant “stigma.” The reality is that once out working, D.O.s and M.D.s are equally qualified and any difference in how they are treated comes from those who are ignorant of what a D.O is (as a general rule).</p>
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<p>Ah, you’re totally right, sorry about that. </p>
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<p>You’re right of course. I didn’t word my post right (fail #2 for me haha) - what I meant to say was that it doesn’t make a difference in the quality of physician produced, and shouldn’t factor into the ‘stigma’ or ‘prestige’.</p>
<p>So, if possible, is it best to just take the M.D. route and if that fails then take the D.O. route?</p>
<p>There is most certainly a stigma associated with DO in medical circles. The “other” always has it a little rougher. Medicine is, thankfully, primarily a meritocracy. So a DO with the right stuff is ultimately not going to struggle. However, behind closed doors and in cases of equal merit there are still quite a few MDs who think that DO applicants are not as qualified and would prefer other MDs. Hell, I’d be lying if I said my classmates and I didn’t make “inferior DO” jokes. Children learn how to differentiate and order at a very young age. It is something that is hard to give up after all of these years.</p>
<p>Viggy, fit trumps everything. Go where you think you will be happiest. However, in a situation with limited money and time that most of us who apply to medical school find ourselves in, it is best to follow the rule of thumb that applying to one or the other is better unless you find yourself in that gray area where you have above average stats for DO and not quite good stats for MD. It is time consuming and expensive to apply to a cohort of both schools. You should never go Caribbean without applying DO first though.</p>