DC to DO or DPT

[drdempsey]

I am a 42 yr. old Chiropractor, married and I have a 7 year old child. Looking to change careers to either DO/Carribean MD or DPT. Does anybody have any insight on either career. What are the pro's and cons of being an Osteopathic Physician/MD or Doctor of Physical Therapy. Any feedback on salary, hours, schooling schedule, benefits, etc... would be greatly appreciated to narrowing down the field. Any schools anybody would reccommend to attend?

[billydoc]

Basically, only you can answer this question, b/c only you know your situation best. First you've got to be clear if you want to be a physician with the full scope of practice in medicine....then D.O route it is, or a Caribbean M.D. However, with so many schools oppening in U.S, and existing schools increasing their enrollment, it would be really foolish not to try U.S (M.D or D.O) route first. If you want to be a P.T with the Doctorate in that field then do DPT. But do not kid yourself, you won't be practicing medicine. Most PTs who I know (as an RN myself I know quite a few ppl in many allied health specialties) tell me that DPT is a fluff built on the regular Bach in PT degree. But since it's pretty much an entry level reqs for the newbies now, it's just another way for PT schools to make a buck. I know plenty of D.Cs who were my classmates at ROSS, so were many PTs. I know a couple of D.Cs in D.O schools, as well as one guy finishing his DPT. So, as you can see ppl take different routes for different reason. One thing is for sure DPT should be a lot more doable if you plan to work during school. It's also a lot shorter. For what it's worth....there you have it.

Good Luck.

[sbx4u]

You are just a youngster. I am 53 and am investigating continuing my education as well. I have been a DC for 17 years. I want to pursue an MD career. Not interested in anything else. I have a 12 year old. I guess I am just looking for others that are married with kids, etc... to trade ideas and concerns with as I embark on this new journey. My wife of 27 years says, "go for it" but I worry about my wife & daughter being on an island with me buried in books. How about you?

[GeorgeMD2B]

If you can get into a DO school, do it, the IMG route is becoming more difficult with increased medical school enrollments as well as a reduction in certain residency positions. Despite what some may say DOs are full equivalents of MDs in virtually every way. Despite the issue of international practices rights, DOs are able to work as physicians in many countries, still even for MDs its not that easy to cross borders.

[UHSADOC]

Why on earth a DC would become a DPT........seems like a step backwards !!

If anything, DC to DO Lake Erie has a flex program, with independent learning twice per week, which will allow you to work part time if you can........my other suggestion is to look into Carib MD programs.......

My program had few DCs that are now licensed in NY and GA.....if you go through UHSA or any other Carib program, better invest 10,000$ in review courses.
University of Health Sciences Antigua (http://www.uhsa.ag/index.html)


Regards,

[devildoc8404]

UNECOM (Biddeford, Maine) has had some DC's go through their DO program, and the ones I know are currently in residency. Note that while there is some overlap between OMT and chiropractic manipulation, there is not nearly as much as people seem to think.

IMHO, DC to DO is a good option.

[WendyMBBS]

Comparing DO/Foreign MD to DPT programs is an apple and oranges comparison. If I were you I would go the DO/IMG MD route but I am biased.

[UHSADOC]

Stick to Carib MD program, but go to a good school.

Forget DPT, they have more issues than DCs.

DO is a great hybrid for you DCs out there, as both offer MT, and holistic hybrid alternative to patients.

So, DO/MD is the way to go ;)
DPT in my opinion is a step backwords !! ;) No DDx, No Rx, No Surgery, No Deliveries, procedures..... why become a PT then ??

Cheers,