It’s common to see the designations M.D. and D.O. after a doctor’s name, but what exactly does D.O. doctor mean? A D.O., or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, is a fully qualified and licensed physician. Like their M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) counterparts, D.O.s complete rigorous medical training, but with a distinctive emphasis on a “whole person” approach to medicine and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine attend osteopathic medical schools, primarily located in the United States. The curriculum in these schools is comprehensive, covering all the fundamental medical sciences and clinical training that M.D. programs offer. This ensures that D.O.s are well-versed in diagnosing and treating medical conditions across all specialties.
Alt text: Osteopathic doctor using hands-on manipulation to examine and treat a patient’s back.
One of the key differentiators for a D.O. is their training in osteopathic philosophy, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of the body’s systems. As part of their medical training, D.O.s receive extensive education in manual medicine techniques. This hands-on approach, known as osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), is used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. OMT involves using the hands to gently move and manipulate muscles and joints to encourage the body’s natural healing capabilities. While not every D.O. utilizes OMT in their practice, it remains a core component of osteopathic medical education.
Doctors of Medicine (M.D.s), on the other hand, attend traditional medical schools. Their training is equally rigorous and also encompasses a wide range of medical specialties. M.D.s are trained in allopathic medicine, which focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases, often using medications and surgery.
Alt text: Medical doctors collaborating and reviewing patient data in a hospital setting for comprehensive care.
Despite these differences in philosophical approach and the inclusion of OMT in osteopathic training, both D.O.s and M.D.s undergo comparable post-graduate residency training. After medical school, both types of physicians must complete residency programs in their chosen specialties, such as surgery, pediatrics, or cardiology. Furthermore, to become licensed to practice medicine, both D.O.s and M.D.s must pass the same standardized licensing examinations. This ensures that all licensed physicians, regardless of their degree, meet the same rigorous standards of medical competency.
In conclusion, when considering “What Does D.o. Doctor Mean,” it’s important to understand that a D.O. is a highly trained and licensed physician with comprehensive medical education similar to an M.D. The primary distinction lies in their osteopathic approach, which incorporates manual medicine and a focus on the body as an integrated system. Both D.O.s and M.D.s are fully qualified to provide a wide spectrum of medical care, offering patients excellent healthcare options.
References:
- What is a D.O.? American Osteopathic Association https://osteopathic.org/what-is-osteopathic-medicine/what-is-a-do/. Accessed Oct. 27, 2022.
- Roberts A, et al. Osteopathic manipulative medicine: A brief review of the hands-on treatment approaches and their therapeutic uses. Medicines. 2022; doi:10.3390/medicines9050033.
- Chin J, et al. Assessing the knowledge of the osteopathic profession in New York City’s Easter European communities. Cureus. 2022; doi:10.7759/cureus.21664.
