Pre-Professional Medicine at SOU

Labor Statistics

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, for a Physician or Surgeon in 2018:

Median Pay: $208,000 per year (about $100.00 per hour)

Typical Entry-Level Education: Doctoral/Professional Degree

Number of Jobs: 756,800

Projected 10-year Growth: 7% (about 55,400 jobs)

Brief Introduction to Educational Pathway

Typically, this program starts off with a strong foundation in chemistry, biology, math, and writing. Once the student's foundational curriculum is completed, they can inquire about the potential for an informational interview with a specialist in the Rogue Valley through the partnership SOU has with Providence Health & Services. In the middle years of curriculum, students will complete advanced courses in organic chemistry and biochemistry, while developing skills in genetics, cellular and microbiology, and medically-oriented electives such as immunology, pathophysiology, and molecular biology. Students can also accessorize their curriculum with minors in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Health Promotions or elective coursework in a foreign language. After completing the middle years of the curriculum, students may inquire about the potential for a 1-2 day observation/shadow of a physician in the Rogue Valley. Generally, students will be ready to take the MCAT in the Spring or Summer before their last year at SOU, where they will finish any remaining major curriculum and potentially continue a shadowing experience with a physician.

Students should take time to explore the wonderful opportunities offered through the SOU Biology and Chemistry Programs. 

Allopathic vs Osteopathic Medicine: Two Distinct Philosophical Approaches

The key areas where MDs and DOs begin to show a difference start early on. While many students enter higher education with the goal of wanting to practice medicine as an idea, they don't often ask how they want to practice medicine. Allopathic practitioners, or traditional Medical Doctors, are what many people think of when they perceive what a doctor is, some people can often confused an osteopathic practitioner (DOs) with a naturopathic provider. In essence, allopathic physicians are often thought of as those who strictly practice from a diagnosis-treatment model, wherein they use modern techniques and approaches to identify and treat a given underlying ailment. Whereas, osteopathic physicians are thought of as those who treat the patient from a wholistic approach, incorporating things to impact things like nutrition, personal education, self-prevention and others. Until recent centuries, allopathic approaches were considered almost taboo. The truth is, many MDs and DOs have overlapping approaches to patient care, though they each receive different educational approaches to treating an underlying condition. Additionally, they both use modern techniques to diagnose and treat conditions. In summary, while their philosophical upbringing through education may be different, they both must attend an appropriately accredited medical school, specialty training, residencies and pass a board-certifying exam to practice medicine in all 50 states. 

To and Through: The Journey of Medical School

It's no secret, medical school is difficult to get into, but did you know that MDs and DOs attend different medical programs? Allopathic and Osteopathic schools must be accredited by their respective governing bodies, but that also means that there is no school which offers students both programs. This implies that prospective medical school students must choose which path they take. 

Are the prerequisites different for MD and DO programs?

Generally, students are expected to have the same natural science background entering these programs, since the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required for both. While, on average, students going into MD programs have marginally higher MCAT scores and GPAs, there are far fewer DO schools to choose from. It would be hard to argue that one path is more competitive than the other. DO programs typically accept more non-science majors into their programs than MD programs, respectively. 

Does Medical School look the same for the two pathways?

Most commonly, the lengths of each program are about the same, ranging from 3-4 years to completion. Both realms of education begin with foundational clinical knowledge and subject matter, and evolve into clincal rotations and practical application. Since DO programs require more holistic approaches, they are required to learn osteopathic manipulative treatments (OMTs). OMT training generally requires a couple hundred hours of clinical experience, on top of what an MD might normally do. Both pathways will see students completing a 4-step exam process ultimately leading them to their terminal credential. General Medical Education (GME) tends to have a significant overlap for students of both programs, though the exams each student will take are different. Students in MD programs will complete the exam track for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and students in DO programs will complete the exam track for the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX).

Life After Licensing

Imagine you are finally nearing the end of the medical school experience, and starting to look at residency, fellowship, or advanced training opportunities in your field(s) of interest. Statistically speaking, if you are an MD candidate, you are likely looking into fellowships and advanced training program to specialize in a given field of medicine. A majority of MDs in the practicing world are in some sort of sub-specialization such as cardiology, hemotology, oncology, a variety of surgical fields and many more. If you are a DO candidate, you might be looking into highly specialized fields as well, but may find that these tracks tend to favor allopathic physicians. Again statistically speaking, if you are a DO, you are more likely to pursue a field of family medicine or general practice such as pediatrics or internal medicine. 

Residencies and fellowships, by and large, are shared between MDs and DOs across the US. By the end of 2020, the pathways to nearly every residency will be more open to DOs, in a realm where MDs used to traditionally dominate. Regardless of the standing of either program, the pathways for DOs are opening quickly, especially with recent pushes towards self-education, personal nutrition and prevention, and rural health. 

Overview

Doctors (MDs or DOs) serve a critical role in today's world of medicine. They tend to lead the charge on many aspects of medical practice, and assist with oversight of other clinicians such as nurses, physician assistants, occupational or physical therapists and more. They can work in laboratory research or be on the frontline of diagnostic medicine. The American Medical Association serves the largest network of physicians (MD and DO) as well as medical students with professional development, educational guides, and policy information throughout all disciplines. Generally, you will see doctors in a traditional clinical setting either in a primary or consultant care role, or in a surgical setting; however, you can typically count on doctors working as a part of a team to serve patients' needs. There is essentially no field of practicing medicine which cannot be served by a licensed physician, and they will care for patients from conception through passing and everything in between. Whether you are interested in a high-octane research or trauma care environments, high-stakes surgical or treatment scenarios, general family practice, medical education or policy administration you will find a need as a doctor. 

Support, Governance, and Accreditation

Support

Nationally: 

As mentioned above, the American Medical Association is the largest professional support network for physicians of any discipline. However, students will find great support from the American Association of Medical Colleges, which is a large nonprofit organization tasked with the administrative oversight of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), and the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). There is a DO-specific organization, known as the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), which serves in a similar capacity as the AMA. The AMA is of more use for MD-track medical students, and those nearing and in the professional medical field. For those interested in a DO-track, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is a better option. Students participating in a Pre-Medicine program and exploring medical schools will find more benefit from the AAMC and AACOM resources while exploring their options. 

There is also a student-specific resource for Pre-Medical and Medical Students alike, which is the American Medical Student Association (AMSA). Ideally, the resources within this organization heavily favor those who are newly admitted and attending medical school, but they do offer a Premedical Membership for those who are interested in learning more about the field of professional medicine.

In Oregon: 

In the state, the largest professional organization for physicians is the Oregon Medical Association (OMA). The OMA is active in political advocacy, government relations, education (and educational programs), professional development and providing mentorship for new doctors. The OMA also oversees the Oregon Medical Education Foundation (OMEF), which serves predominately as a support for medical education for educators and students alike. It houses a repository of scholarships for medical students. 

At Southern Oregon University:

All Pre-Health programs can find a home in the SOU Pre-Healthcare Society. Students who are in any health discipline are encouraged to join this group, and its membership is not based on academic major, but rather professional interests in healthcare. Students from medical programs, mental health programs, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and other fields are welcome. To contact this organization, please email SOUprehealthcare@gmail.com. 

Governance 

While each state has its own requirements for medical licensing, there is a standing national credential required for all practicing physicians who are either DOs or MDs. MDs will be appropriately licensed by attending a medical institution which is appropriately accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and has sufficiently completed all four exams for initial licensing through the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). DOs will be appropriately licensed by attending a medical institution which is appropriately accredited by Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), an organization under governance of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). 

In Oregon, the Oregon Medical Board (OMB) oversees licensing for MDs and DOs. 

Accreditation

As mentioned above, MDs will be appropriately licensed by attending a medical institution which is appropriately accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and has sufficiently completed all four exams for initial licensing through the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). DOs will be appropriately licensed by attending a medical institution which is appropriately accredited by Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), an organization under governance of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). 

Specialties and Licenses

There are over 120 fields for doctors to specialize and sub-specialize in, and students are encouraged to explore all of those options here!

Common Majors

Common majors for medical school tend to come from the natural sciences and social sciences, but are not limited to any specific field. 

You can find majors from Biology, Chemistry, Zoology, Psychology, Sociology, Health Science, and many more. 

You might ask yourself, which major is the best major? The answer is, whichever one you personally engage with the most, and you feel provides you with a professionally oriented curriculum. Keep in mind, all of your medical training/science knowledge will come from your prerequisites and graduate programs, so the other courses which make up your degree should be relavent to you. 

Myth: "Graduate programs tend to pick only the Biology/Chemistry students with 4.0 GPAs"

Fact: Graduate programs aren't looking for cookie-cutter students who only know the sciences. Physician Assistants serve in a wide array of professional capacities, and therefore must come from a wide array of backgrounds. Good grades, solid prerequisites, and a passion to succeed make the core requirements for these schools, but they are also seeking well-rounded, real people who have a believable reason to work in medicine, and a desire for a given field. Want do do mental health? Consider a major in a social science. Want to do rehabilitative and therapeutic care? Consider a major in the health sciences. What about serving populations with a different heritage language? Think about a degree in foreign languages! 

Curriculum Sequencing: How to Plan Your Path!

Competitive - Recommended Prerequisites at SOU

Ideal candidates can find the best preparation from a major in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology. 

Minimum - Recommended Prerequisites at SOU

Entrance Exam Requirements

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is the industry standard for getting into medical school. All Pre-Professional Medicine students should expect to take this course in their second-to-last or last year at SOU. Ideally, it is timed with the completion of Biochemistry. Below is a table explaining a little more information about the MCAT. 

Extracurricular Involvment/Experience

In this section, students can explore more about the "other" side of the application for medical school, which is not strictly academic. Students should look forward to answering supplemental essay questions on their medical school applications about these areas, and incorporate these topics into their personal statements. 

Applying for Medical School(s) [MD, MD/PhD, or DO]

When applying to different medical programs, it is important to utilize the AMCAS for MD programs and the AACOMAS for DO programs. Each application system has a great deal of similarity, but each school can have minor nuance differences. In general students should expect to have to enter their transcripts manually into each system, and letters of intent/personal statements as needed. Some schools will have separate requirements. 

Students interested in MD/PhD programs should refer to the AAMC list of schools to see the process for your school(s) of interest. Students can still expect schools to require MCAT scores, though some may request additional requirements.