{"id":"9363e6f2-4184-41c7-9f5e-cf1a10345ef6","slug":"the-hindrance-of-matching-into-neurosurgery-from-doctors-of-osteopathic-medicine-perspective","title":"The hindrance of matching into neurosurgery from doctors of osteopathic-medicine perspective","authors":["Muhammad Kashif","Ahmed Muthana","Abdullah M. Al-Qudah","Samer S. Hoz"],"abstract":"Background: The Doctor of Medicine (MD) and the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) are both medical degrees that qualify individuals to become physicians, yet they differ in their training approaches. DO students pursuing neurosurgical residencies face challenges such as institutional connections, research inconsistencies, and biases that hinder their competitiveness. Despite the shift to a unified accrediting system by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), disparities remain in the matching process for DO students compared to their MD counterparts. Summary: This letter discusses the obstacles faced by DO students in matching into neurosurgery residency programs, including limited resources, biases, and a lack of direct connections to neurosurgery departments. It highlights the importance of research experience and mentorship in enhancing the competitiveness of DO applicants. Strategies such as seeking external rotations and collaborating with established neurosurgeons are suggested to improve their chances of securing residency positions. Conclusion: Addressing the disparities faced by DO students in neurosurgery requires collaborative efforts among medical schools, residency programs, and professional organizations. Initiatives aimed at increasing exposure to neurosurgery and promoting fairness in the residency selection process are essential. By fostering support and mentorship, the neurosurgical field can develop a more diverse and skilled workforce. Keywords: neurosurgery, osteopathic medicine, residency matching, bias, research experience, mentorship, medical education","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/placeholders/specialty/socio-economics-politics-and-medicine.png","publishDate":"2024-07-05T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_314_2024","categories":["Socio-Economics, Politics, and Medicine","Letter to the Editor"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/12977/SNI-15-232.pdf"}