Is it really "alternative"??

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I am very interested in hearing anybody's thoughts on nursing in a D.O. hospital. I'm attracted to the philosophy of osteopathic medicine, as it claims to support the body's natural ability to heal, uses non-pharm methods along with pharm, looks at the patient as a whole rather than system by system, etc. I'm wondering if, in practice in a hospital setting, this is the case. Is there really a difference in overall philosophy and/or culture? Or even if you have worked with a D.O. in a "regular" hospital setting... did he/she go about care in a different way than an M.D.? I would greatly appreciate your responses!

Specializes in cardiac, ICU, education.

Whether it is true or not, I hear quite a few docs say that "those who could not get into medical school went to DO school." Harsh, but seems to be the tagline.

Anyway, I can't tell the difference at the hospital. My kid's pediatrician is a DO, and although he is a nice man, I think he goes to the meds to fast.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

Westview employs MDs as well; it's not strictly a DO hospital. They do though have many DOs working there. The DOs have more schooling and do not abide by the medial model as MDs are taught. If I had my druthers I would definitely go with a DO.

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Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.
Whether it is true or not, I hear quite a few docs say that "those who could not get into medical school went to DO school." Harsh, but seems to be the tagline.

Anyway, I can't tell the difference at the hospital. My kid's pediatrician is a DO, and although he is a nice man, I think he goes to the meds to fast.

I have heard that over the years too, but I think it's just part of the good old boy network. I haven't heard it in a long while and I personally don't find it to be true. Like I said b/4, I have worked with some really great DO's--in all specialties. Including Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Plastics..so I think they really are the same animal now.

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Specializes in Emergency, Pediatrics.

We used to have Youngstown Osteopathic Hospital here in my community but it closed down just over a decade ago. Many of those who worked there now are all integrated into the other facilities around here. I asked a couple of them and they both stated that it was "nicer." When asked to elaborate, they said they did things a little different there and no one could pinpoint something specific to tell me. So, in my opinion, it seems maybe they just liked it better because they had been there for so long and were used to it? haha.

They DID, however, say that the D.O.s ways of practicing in general were pretty much the same as the M.D.s with whom they now work. Just my two cents.

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So far it seems like the answer to my question is divided down the middle. I appreciate your honest answers (I would expect nothing less here! :)).

Where in Indianapolis is this hospital located? I used to work at Riley in 2000-2002. I loved Indy. I had to move back to Florida-but miss you guys.

Go COLTS!

It's on the west side of the city, off of 38th street. Indy thanks you for the compliment, btw! I moved back here in '04 after being away for 10 years and it is a great place to call home-- and nurses can still get hired here!

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