I knew I was going to see some of my old colleagues at my new job. But it's even better!

[Aristus]

These last three weeks have been hectic, stressful, and gratifying. I’m working at a much slower, more relaxed pace than at my old job.

Meeting up with a lot of my old colleagues, and providers with whom I worked when I was a Medical Assistant. It’s been such fun.

But I had an especially wonderful surprise in store. Back in the day, when I was a Medical Assistant, there was a guy who worked the front desk at one of the clinics I rotated through. He and I got along famously, and had a lot of fun on the job. He was a great guy.

I ran into him my second week at my new job. Just like me, he went to school to further his career. I became a Physician Assistant. But he went to Medical School! Graduated as a DO, which is a step above MD! I’m so proud of him. But not the least bit surprised by his success. I’m hoping I’ll get to work at his clinic every once in a while so we can catch up and work together again.

Anyway, while I miss my homeless patients, I’m much happier in my new work atmosphere.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. How wonderful for you, my dear Aristus! Your joy comes through my monitor.

I forget what DO means. Doctor of . . . what? The only word I can think of is Osteopathy, but that doesn't seem right.

Anyway, congrats on seeing him again!

[fierywoman]

2. I'm so happy for you!

[JohnnyLib2]

3. Good to hear!

Fun on the job makes a huge difference. Happy for you.

[niyad]

4. So very happy for you. It frequently felt like your soul, your very being, was

slowly being crushed at your previous job. May you have joy and fulfillment at this new one.

[speak easy]

5. 'hectic, stressful, ... much slower, more relaxed' ?

These last three weeks have been hectic, stressful, and gratifying. I’m working at a much slower, more relaxed pace than at my old job.

[2naSalit]

6. That's the best news ever!

You deserve a god position in a less stressful environment. That you miss you former patients is not unusual, it shows that you care. You have made the right choice for you and I'm glad to see the ways in which it is best for you.

[cilla4progress]

7. Really truly glad

to hear this, Aristus!

[Lithos]

8. Dude

A D.O. is not a step above an MD. They are peers from two different medical systems. An MD is allopathic while a DO is primarily holistic with some allopathic skills.

L-

[malthaussen]

9. Peers, sure. But MDs tend to sneer at DOs as not good enough to make the cut.

Of course, MDs tend to sneer at everybody...

-- Mal

[littlemissmartypants]

12. Sneering maybe because the DO decides to study more information

And expand their skills while the MD quits earlier and doesn't have as much to offer their patients.

It's not unusual to belittle those who make one look inadequate. Bound to happen with a doctor that happens to also be an egotistical bully. Of which there are many. And I'm speaking from more than twenty years of first hand experience.

[Lithos]

14. Most DO's do not specialize

Specialization is additional study and specialists are dominated by MDs.

https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/workforce/data/active-physicians-do-degree-specialty-2021

And yes, I have had a DO as a general/primary doctor. I have never had a specialist who started as a DO.

[littlemissmartypants]

15. They don't have to "declare a specialty." MD practitioners do.

"Osteopathic medical education emphasizes primary care,..."

The "specialty" for DO practitioners is primary care and they have an option to...

"...seek training in any specialty, from Psychiatry to Neurosurgery, and many D.O.s do pursue specialization."

Reference
https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/preprofessional/health/types/allopathic.php

[littlemissmartypants]

11. Dude...

Osteopathic Medicine -Overview of the Profession
According to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), “Osteopathic medicine is a distinctive form of medical practice in the United States. Osteopathic physicians use all of the tools and technology available to modern medicine with the added benefits of a holistic philosophy and a system of hands-on diagnosis and treatment known as osteopathic manipulative medicine. Doctors of osteopathic medicine emphasize helping each person achieve a high level of wellness by focusing on health education, injury prevention and disease prevention.” Osteopathic physicians receive a DO degree, but they are fully physicians with all the same rights and responsibilities as MDs.

Practice Areas
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.s) are licensed to practice the full scope of medicine in all 50 states. In practical terms, the D.O. and the M.D. receive the same license and share the same medical rights and privileges. Osteopathic medical education emphasizes primary care, however, students may seek training in any specialty, from Psychiatry to Neurosurgery, and many D.O.s do pursue specialization.

Education
According to AACOM, "there are currently 41 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States. These colleges are accredited to deliver instruction at 66 teaching locations in 35 states." Osteopathic medical students study all of the basic and clinical sciences expected for mastery of medicine plus additional training in the art of osteopathic manipulative medicine. Osteopathic schools emphasize the idea that structure influences function and therefore if a problem exists in one part of the body’s structure the function in that area and in other closely aligned areas may be affected. There is also a focus on prevention and holistic care.

https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/preprofessional/health/types/allopathic.php

[malthaussen]

10. Sounds good. Enjoy! n/t

[MyOwnPeace]

13. Congrats on the new position!

Interesting 'last' comment: "while I miss my homeless patients, I’m much happier in my new work atmosphere."

Having spent my career in education (public schools - K-12 - mostly elementary, both classroom and administration) - I saw that same feeling expressed by those that had 'gone' from 'Special Education' to 'general classroom.' A sense of 'less pressure' and a lessened responsibility regarding society's handling of 'problems.' Hopefully your own thoughts/comments will help expand the public's awareness of the difficulties in dealing with those living in 'lesser' conditions.

Lord knows that the thoughts/ideas/plans of the Republicans never will...........