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I believe system based learning is gaining popularity and is the new norm.
However Barry and OCPM are still doing it the old way-whatever it is called. I mean do the courses overlap- do you learn the system in different classes at the same time? I mean you take the Physio of a system in one semester and one year later you learn the pathology of it and how it can go wrong? I would definitely hate the learn that way.
I believe the basic sciences of system based curriculum are spread out throughout all the systems and learned system by system.
True, you won't know how to deliver a baby until you learn the procedure during rotations. For some reason, I was envisioning delivering a baby during residency and skipping rotations.
The DOs take the COMLEX. I was aware of this; however, thye take the USMLE if they want a MD residency, which of course, all of them do. In the end, they end up taking both.
I believe same education equals parity. Taking the USMLE is a major step towards having the same education-especially since there is a new podiatry program at one of the best DO schools in the country.
By the way, Barry had externships on their curriculum, what are they?
Almost all of the schools use course learning, not system based. So yes, that means that you take the entire physiology of the body in one semester. Then in another semester, you learn the pathology of all the systems. I like this approach. I wouldn't want to have to wade through 10,343 books to back study for the biochem section on the boards. I feel like it's easier if it's all in one spot.
I would disagree with you that ALL D.O. students end up taking both the USLME and COMLEX. Not all D.O.s want an allopathic residency. There are a lot of solid osteopathic residencies out there.
Lastly, an exam won't get the profession to parity. Competency will. Competency is recognized through education. Because some of our schools are sitting in with osteopathic students, that is a great start. Having instructors who rotate through other medical schools, then teach podiatry students is also good. Our boards focus on the lower extremity. We don't take some courses as detailed as some osteopathic students. There is a thread here somewhere; it has the first two years at DMU, I believe. In the second year, the D.O. students are taking things like ob-gyn in much greater detail than what the pod student takes. Basically, our education is different, and our boards reflect that. Luckily, I haven't heard the APMA considering switching to the USMLE for a couple years now, and even then, it sounded like fluff.
As for externships - all schools have externships in the fourth year. It's when you travel to hospitals you want to consider for residency, and work/learn for a month. It allows the clerk and residency program to see if they like each other.
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