Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with do

What factors to consider before becoming an osteopathic physician?

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:08:17 -0800

What factors to consider before becoming an osteopathic physician? My numbers are not competitive enough to get into allopathic medical school. However, I am a more competitive candidate for osteopathic medical school. I have searched on the studentdoctor.net forums on the debate/discussion between MD vs. DO. I wanted to know for any mefites who has gone through/or is going through/completed osteopathic medical school, what factors do I need to consider in making this career-life decision in becoming an osteopathic physician?

I have shadowed a DO, and know of several individuals in DO school whom I respect. I’m not looking to start a controversial debate. I’m aware that DOs once board certified, have the same legal power and abilities as MDs, but I have my concerns. In a way, it should not matter whether I’m a DO or MD, a great doctor is a great doctor no matter what. But I want to know on the practical and not theoretical level, how that pans out in the real world. It’s hard enough being a physician as is. It’s a tough job with long hours and lots of work, liability and problems to deal with on its own. Adding to the mix that most of the public is not informed of what an osteopathic physician is. Even reading, talking to others, and shadowing a DO has really not really made any great progress about how to deal with some of the bias that comes along with becoming a DO and some of the professional hurdles I would have to overcome. Nobody is going to make this decision for me but me, but I want to be well-informed.

Other info: I’m female, in my mid-twenties, living on the east coast. I have a science degree, graduate work, volunteered many hours in community service, in a clinic, at a hospital, and in the health related settings. I feel so shallow to want to only have an MD in my degree, but to a certain point, I feel that for all that work and effort having a MD is better in my opinion because of the clinical training. And having to deal with being looked down by MD (some, but I know not all) is something I just don’t know if I want to put up with for the rest of my career. Note too, that I do not plan on re-applying again for medical school. I don’t have money to spend another year with this expensive process of applying to allopathic/osteopathic medical school, submitting secondaries and the costs associated with attending interviews.

A part of me has thought that if I’ve wanted to become a physician, then it shouldn’t matter if I become a DO. But there are just so many concerns, hesitations I have. And I feel like there is an uncertainty in dealing with being perceived as second-rate to the public bias/ignorance that exists (even though the medical education is the same, with the inclusion of OMM).

Here are my concerns:

1. Most lay people do not know what a DO is. How have DOs dealt with this issue?

2. How difficult is it to pass the COMPLEX and USMLE during school? Since DO schools are not geared towards USMLE and allopathic residency training programs, would there be more obstacles for me to overcome in studying for both exams? I don't know for certain if I would want to go into family practice or internal medicine. Would I be limiting my options by going to a DO school?

3. What other things do I need to understand perhaps in the climb career wise in obtaining a residency and future career prospects?

Please, only constructive discussion/thoughts/perspectives would be very much appreciated. I'm not putting down osteopathic physicians at all. The DO I shadowed completed a fellowship and was very successful in their practice. But I'm sure that those who have gone this route have voiced similar concerns/questions and I'm just asking for more balanced opinions other than starting a controversial debate on studentdoctor.net. I’m asking what I need to consider in the osteopathic physician route and how to deal with my concerns. There just hasn't been much progress in my thought process. School is expensive, time consuming and emotionally draining. To spend four years in medical school and not get into my desired training program would be financially and emotionally devastating. Where I would want to end up living too is on the east coast where DOs are not very well known.

Thanks in advance,
Frustrated (Argh)

nyc, blogs, websites, radio, events

bluelight — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:17:12 -0800

What websites/blogs/radio stations do you use to find things to do in NYC? Besides word of mouth, how do you find out about the various happenings around NYC?

What's a 14 Year Old Boy to Do In NYC???

musofire — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:38:11 -0800

My 14 year old stepson is bored in New York. What should he do? How about Montreal? My 14 year old stepson can't think of anything fun to do in New York. I know, I know. Me, I would go to the Natural History Museum. The Museum of Television and Radio. Ellis Island. The Cloisters. I would walk around. I might go swimming at the Y. I might even sign up for a language course.

He has rejected all of these. What other things are there to send a 14-year-old boy off to do by himself? He has no friends in New York, and I'm in Canada.

Also, he'd like to come back and spend some of the summer with us, in Montreal. Aside from the Just For Laughs Festival and La Ronde, what other fun things am I missing for him to do?

Can I Polish Up My Martial Arts When I Can't Afford a Dojo?

snap_dragon — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 08:54:16 -0800

Is it possible to practice and brush up on martial arts? I can't afford a dojo and only have my wife to practice on (!!). I know...rather sad. But she is willing to learn so I teach her. Can I polish up my previous learning? I have 3 years in karate 2 years in small-circle jujitsu (wrist lock flowing techniques, and not the Brazilian stuff...which would be great, though)...and a smattering of Aikido. I am not looking to be Bruce Lee or the best cage fighter. I am wanting to perfect what I do know. Is it silly to watch youtube videos and books that I have (excellent reference by Marc Tedeschi etc) to refresh myself as well as practice teaching my wife? What are your thoughts on training in a vacuum if you will? If you have any training ideas or opinions I am open for your knowledge or criticism. I don't want to waste my time.

Or En Aye Ay? What does this song mean?

crazyray — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 22:40:01 -0800

You may very well recognize this song. It is from this movie. What does it mean? Does the first stanza and/or chorus spell something? Please help! One website lists the lyrics as this:

Oh Ry In Eye Ay - Oh Ry In Eye Ay
Oh Ry In Ah Key Ooh Lay
Ka Lay Ooh Lau Ee - Oh Ry In Eye Ay
Sal You Te Lee Ay Vee Show

Midnight sunshine silent thunder
Sky as black as day
Only a dream away

Chorus

Waking while you're still deep sleeping
Finding you're not here
Watching a dream appear

Tumbling through a thousand centuries
You don't know where you'll land
It's so dark in mythology
Treasures of history to be found
Near the legends of time
All the handiworks remain there
Only a dream away

Chorus

Greedy feeling wheeling dealing
Losing what you won
See the dream come undone

Stumble you may with the elementary
Lucky you got so far
All you owe is apologies
Measure the mystery and astound
Without taking up time
So the handiworks remain there
Only a dream away

Chorus

In out, hot cold, up down, young old
What a lot to do
Sharing a dream with you

Chorus

How can I have an affordable vacation in Galicia?

maca — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:02:35 -0800

In the first week of April I will be traveling to the Fragas do Eume natural park in Galicia (Spain). I will also be paying a visit to the city of La Coruna. I am looking for advice about how to eat cheaply and what to see in La Coruna. More info:

We will be camping so that will help keep the food cost down, but does anyone know where fresh food for cooking can be bought and for a good price? We won't have a car. Also, for when we get lazy, or when we are in La Coruna, where are some good and cheap places to get a meal? (My definition of a "meal" is a bit loose - if it's only a big sandwich that's fine).

I don't mind lumps in my mashed potatoes, but none in my bed please.

Advocate, I — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:27:07 -0800

How can I get the lumps out of my goose down mattress pad? I've had a goose down mattress pad on my bed for a while, and it has provided me with tons of comfy night's sleep. Today, while changing sheets, I decided to shake out the pad to get rid of some dust, in doing so I shifted the down in the pad and now the pad is lumpy. Does anyone know how to get rid of the lumps and redistribute the down in the pad to make it even and comfy again? Did I just ruin my pad!? Help!

tetrachromat

Taksi Putra — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:13:34 -0800

Do you know of any tetrachromat artists? Or any art made by a tetrachromat?

Do you know the (best) way to San Jose?

ClanvidHorse — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:43:14 -0800

Things to do in San Jose! And how to get there... I am working in San Jose for a few weeks from Monday and flying out to San Francisco from the UK tomorrow.

I intend to spend my middle weekend doing things in SF but was wondering what there is to do in and around San Jose at night. I will have the full day Sunday in San Jose too so any ideas for then would be great too. Bars/restaurants/sights... I am interested in anything that the hive can think of!

Also, I won't be driving, how easy is to get to San Jose from San Francisco International airport? What is the best method? Am I best to just get a taxi?

Thanks

New York City, please

hangingbyathread — Thu, 22 May 2008 11:51:31 -0800

NewYorkCityFilter: I'm headed to New York City this weekend, staying midtown. It's somewhat spur of the minute but I was wondering if any MeFites have suggestions of current things to do, places to eat and drink, etc. I love trying new places, eats, visual, audible, sensual stimulations. Anything discussed on Mefi recently? Thanks.

crunch-filter: how do I stop my stomach from being sore?

krautland — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:36:07 -0800

crunch-filter: how do I stop my abdominal muscles from aching? it seems I went a bit too far with my crunches this week and now I'm unable to sleep with an aching tummy. I realize there's probably not a lot I can do about that right now I'd like to keep this from happening again, mainly because a sore stomach feels horrible. it's as if you were sick and wished you could throw up but just can't.

so is there a way to stretch your abdominal muscles? especially the upper ones seem to be the issue for me.

Help me manage my people collection.

Naberius — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:38:22 -0800

I seem to have a very particular social skills deficit. Can you suggest software that might serve as a kind of brain prosthetic for me? I like people - I really do. But I'm an introvert. And, for lack of a better word, I just lose people if they don't get in my face on a regular basis. I want to maintain relationships, but I just lose track of people and before I know it months have gone by and the friendship has atrophied. A lot of my interactions with friends are sort of "yeah, sorry I haven't been in touch, how are things going with you? I'll try to be better about that." Over and over again.

Also I'm in a field where the ability to network is quite important and because of this particular issue, I really suck at it. Basically I seem to be able to keep up with only a very small inner circle of friends - smaller than most people's - and everyone else drops off into that outer circle of contacts or acquaintances, whether I want them to or not. Sometimes they are hurt. More often they just realize they're having to put in most of the work to keep the connection running, while I'm not really holding up my end, and they let things drift off.

Its occurred to me to wonder about contact management applications like ACT. I gather salespeople use them to manage social connections with more people than our primate brains could normally deal with. But I don't really know much about them. What do they actually do? Would they be useful for me? Or perhaps there's some other kind of application that could basically keep a database of people I know, track how long it's been since I did something to keep that particular plate spinning and prod me to give so and so a call or an email or something? What would you suggest?

career guidance much?

project 2501 — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:27:45 -0800

I have been working steadily and consistently for the last three years but not at jobs that show growth or project development (which everyone seems to want to know about). How do I find a new (better) job now? After graduating college and earning an elementary school teacher's certification I immediately moved out of state and was not eligible for a full teaching license in my new state. I worked as a substitute teacher for 3 years while my wife finished her doctorate. I was also employed as a Customer Service rep for a national co-operative (part time).
Now I'm moving back to my home state but am having serious reservations about entering full time teaching after becoming disillusioned about our education system.

Question:
1.What do I do with my life?
2.How to show on my resume that I am intelligent/ valuable given my limited (professional full-time) working experience especially at 28 years old.

A bit about me...
internet/information junkie
good people person
very tech oriented (my main hobbies including building computers and tweaking software, but I have no certifications or way to show my skills on paper)
experience working with children
emotionally stable /reliable
eager to learn and perform
available for long hours of hard work

We will be moving to the West Hollywood area from the upper mid-west.
Thanks for all of your help!

p.s. I did see these posts here and here but feel this is a bit different.

What should I do after college?

rybreadmed — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:05:07 -0800

What do I do with my life after college? I want to do something I don't hate, and might even like. I want YOUR suggestions and ideas. I'm in my late 20s and am a bit less than a year away from receiving a BS in mechanical engineering from a not-very-prestigious state university in Los Angeles County. I already possess a BA in creative writing and an MBA in finance. I went back to school for the BSME a couple of years ago. My grades are quite good (mostly A's, with a couple of B's every so often--nothing below a B). Next quarter, I'll be attending a very prestigious engineering school (also in the LA area) for a class on an exchange program (I'll get credit at my own institution for work done at the prestigious engineering school). I've also been working at an engineering firm doing actual engineering work.

So I ask you: What do I do next? I enjoy finance and engineering (and creative writing, but that won't put food on the table). I've thought about going to school to study quantitative finance, but more school? Another masters? Do I want to be in school forever? Do I get an engineering job? The idea of JUST doing engineering work kind of bores me.

Do I try to find a consulting job? Consulting sounds exciting, but do they hire engineers fresh out of school? And my undergraduate institution for my BSME isn't prestigious. From what I hear, McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group hire from schools everyone's heard of (such as the prestigious school I'll be attending next quarter).

Also, it has been said that my participation in this exchange program would help my chances of getting into their graduate school. From this particular institution, I wouldn't mind another year or so of school for a Master's, but there's no guarantee of getting in (or even succeeding in their exchange program).

I ask you (yes--YOU!) for your ideas. I want to hear things I haven't thought of. I want to make a pretty good amount of money. A lot of money would be great. I don't want to work 80 or 90 hours per week unless there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Also, I want to see my girlfriend for more than an hour a week. No, I don't want to join the Peace Corps. No, I don't want to move to Qatar to take part in their huge economic boom. No, I don't want to join the military (as suggested by the idiot career adviser at my school's career center).

where do you summer?

raztaj — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 08:01:27 -0800

Costume help: Young Republican? I'd like to dress up as a 'Young Republican' for Halloween. What do you recommend I wear? What does preppy mean to you?

Two Docs in the Box

dancinglamb — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:14:18 -0800

What is the difference between a DO and an MD? Is one particularly suited to treat certain types of illnesses/conditions better than the other?

I need to learn everything about storage sheds and barns

adriana — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:36:19 -0800

I am writing an ebook about storage sheds and barns, and would love to learn a few things. What do you use your storage shed for? I know most people use it to store their lawn mower and gardening supplies, but others are using sheds/barns creatively, and I'd love to hear those creative uses of sheds and barns.

Also if you have a shed or barn story you'd like to share, I'd love to hear some of those as well (if you include your story, please let me know if you'll allow me to use it in my eboook).

Did you build your own shed? If so, what are some of the things you learned? What would you do differently?

If you purchased your shed, what was your experience? Are you happy with your purchase? What would make your online shopping experience for a shed a more pleasurable experience?

Of course, if you can think of anythign else that has to do wiht sheds, I'd love to hear it: everything is valuable for my research.

Thank you for your help.

What to do in Salt Lake City in December

freddymungo — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:25:08 -0800

So I have a friend flying in to Salt Lake City to visit on the weekend of December 8-10, getting in Friday morning and leaving Sunday night. What is there to do around town that weekend that's really awesome?

Looking for fun

matthelm — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:27:20 -0800

I am in the search of finding free and or cheap things to do in the LA area (Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City, Marina Del Rey Etc)...any ideas? Just something you have found that you really enjoy...

turkey baster pregnancy movies

BigBrownBear — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 03:49:21 -0800

How do you get pregnant with a turkey baster? You always see in movies and whatnot people using a turkey baster to get pregnant. I figure this is some old fashioned wives' tale type thing. What is it supposed to do?

I have a Thanksgiving/Birthday collision! What to do?

FritoKAL — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 22:41:59 -0800

This year, I turn thirty, on Thanksgiving. I need something to do that's special with my fiance, and as always, there's My family Thanksgiving dinner is Friday, due to extended family and juggling the lots of cousins and such. My fiance lives in California right now, and I am in Northern Virginia (Yes, it sucks.) - so he arrives Wednesday, flys home on Sunday.

His family will be in Chicago for the holiday, so that's not an option.

We want to do something fun for my birthday, on my birthday. Dinner and a show -is- an option, but there's a caveat.

He's allergic to everything. No, seriously. Shellfish, dairy, pork, some fruits, some vegetables, cinnamon, all kinds of wacky food juggling. So fixed menus at restaurants are a problem.

I'm a) at a loss for ideas besides dinner, and b) Not sure what's open in Thanksgiving in NoVA/DC that's good.

Animal doctor school

josher71 — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 21:24:50 -0800

I am 32 and I recently decided that I would like to become a veterinarian. As I am getting on in the "picking a career" years I have a few questions. I only have a B.A. in Psych to start with. Would it make sense to go to school to become a vet technician or vet technologist first? I'm a little lost on how to get started with the whole thing.

what to do during the work day?

annoyance — Wed, 10 May 2006 10:36:51 -0800

i need things to do during the day, at work, on the computer or that look like work. so my job work load fluctuates a lot, sometimes i am very busy for a couple weeks, then i have almost nothing to do for a couple weeks.
so i need suggestions of things to do during the day so i feel more productive. they can be online stuff (interesting/educational blogs or sites or places to participate) or perhaps something offline that will appear to be work like reading or whatever.
i have to be at my desk, in a cubicle for 8 hours a day and currently exhaust all of the blogs and fantasy baseball sites i know and like after a couple hours. i had started a blog of my own as i like to write but can't always think of good things to write about. i work on my own websites occasionally, reviewing root beer, or records or whatever but need something else.

it can be educational or just entertaining.
i know there are many threads about good blogs, but i could not find a real question like this. pardon me if it has been asked before.

How was the ending of "2001" animated?

Rash — Thu, 15 Sep 2005 21:38:31 -0800

How did Kubrick film the psychedelic 'stargate' sequence of "2001: A Space Odyssey"? Some of the movie's special effects are obviously crude CGI (like the cockpit displays during spacecraft rendezvous) but the ending seems far more sophisticated. Regular old animation? Looks too... digital. Articles on 'the making of' I've seen never discuss this all-important visual (although it's cool knowing about the spinning set used for example in the jogging scene).

Here is London, giddy London. Is it home of the free or what?

skylar — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 11:15:13 -0800

Inside, a question about nocturnal activities which will be best answered by Londoners, night-owls and lateral thinkers. I've lived in London, England for many years and know it very well. I'm also subscribed to every London-related site I can find from London by London to Londonist to London Lost and Found to Flavourpill and Urban Junkies. I read the Guardian Guide and Time Out. In short, I think I'm pretty damn switched on for things to do.

But something always stumps me in this less-than-24-hour city, and that is: things to do after 11pm on a weekday. That's when most of the pubs shut and London begins to go to sleep. We don't boast the same number of late night cafés and bars as New York, where I've never had a problem servicing my night-owl tendencies.

So I'm reaching out to you, dear AskMeFi friends, for some unusual and interesting suggestions. Late night bars are kind of obvious, but feel free to suggest any. There are about four 24-hour cafés that I know of - any recommendations? Bus journeys? Late night walks? Strange shops or clubs? Good places to break into? In short, any kooky, memorable place - or even just a route to take - which might help instigate an adventure in London during the wee hours.

It doesn't have to be legal, sensible or free. The only rule is that it must be something I can do after 11pm on a weekday in London, preferably central London.